Manatee Sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY – Last September, MCSO logged 43 arrests in a giant, multi-agency sex crime sting called Operation Green Shepherd. Last week, deputies conducted phase two of the operation and hauled in 35 more suspected sexual predators who went to an undercover Manatee residence where they believed they would meet and have sexual encounters with children.

Operation Green Shepherd II started on Monday, March 18 and concluded at Midnight, Monday March 25. Detectives went online in various undercover capacities and subsequently set up meetings with the defendants. According to the Sheriff's office, the defendants went to the residence believing they were meeting up with a juvenile for a sexual encounter.

The subjects were arrested on charges including Travel to Seduce/Solicit/Entice a Child to Commit Sexual Act, Use of a Computer to Seduce/Solicit/Entice a Child to Commit Sexual Act and Attempted Lewd and Lascivious behavior.

MCSO was assisted in the operation by the Department of Homeland Security, FDLE, Bradenton, Sanford and St. Petersburg Police Departments and the Sarasota, Polk, Lee, Seminole, Hardee County Sheriff’s Offices. Click here to read a list of the arrests.