- Sixteen people were arrested in Alachua County from July 30 to Aug. 1 during "Operation Firewall" targeting online child exploitation.
- Law enforcement agencies seized three firearms, vehicles, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and adult intimate devices during the operation.
- Operation Firewall was a coordinated effort by local, state, and federal agencies including the FBI and U.S. Secret Service to protect children online.
Sixteen people were arrested during a proactive, three-day undercover operation in Alachua County aimed at identifying and apprehending individuals who used the internet to attempt to sexually exploit children.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release sent Tuesday, the ACSO hosted “Operation Firewall” from July 30 through Aug. 1 as part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The operation brought together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate individuals seeking to engage in criminal activity involving children.
Investigators arrested the following individuals after they traveled to or within Alachua County with the intent to engage in criminal activity involving a child:
- Mark Meiser
- Fausto Granja
- Kyle Flowers
- Ibrahim Kayali
- Craig McCostlin Jr.
- Chris Johnson
- Ean McMunn
- Phlip Cabigting
- Rafael Morand
- Joseph El Meouchy Dit El Englizi
- Christopher Daniels
- Justin Ethridge
- Travis Contreras
- Roman Hernandez-Jimenez
- Dante Williams
- Richard Moore
During the operation, investigators also seized three firearms, vehicles, narcotics, drug paraphernalia and adult intimate devices.
“Operation Firewall” was conducted through the collaborative efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies and partners, including the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Highway Patrol, Gainesville Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Levy County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s 8th Judicial Circuit, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
ACSO thanked its local, state and federal partners for dedicating countless hours to protecting children and holding offenders accountable throughout the operation.
ACSO also emphasized the importance of educating families about online safety. Parents and guardians seeking information about internet safety, including popular apps, online behaviors to monitor and strategies for helping children navigate the digital world safely, are encouraged to contact the ACSO Digital Crimes Unit at DCU@alachuasheriff.org.
Anyone who believes a child is communicating online with someone in an inappropriate or concerning manner is encouraged to report it immediately by contacting the ACSO, filing a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children or notifying the appropriate social media platform or internet service provider.