Child exploitation task force seizes 10+ million images, videos in second year, sends stern warning to predators

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In its second year combatting child exploitation in northeast Florida, the Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force continues its relentless pursuit of child predators, warning them that, with the combined strength of multiple agencies and advanced resources, their abhorrent actions will be exposed, even in the darkest corners of the web.

In 2024, the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force initiated 1,220 investigations and resolved 728 Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators seized 122 electronic devices containing over 10 million images and videos, including more than 48,000 identified as child sexual abuse material. As a result, 28 victims were identified, and 66 arrests made, with many cases still active or in various stages of prosecution.

The INTERCEPT Task Force is a unique coalition of local, state, and federal law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Jacksonville, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Together, alongside private sector partners, they adopt a whole-of-government approach and collaborate daily to tackle the complexities on the front lines of child exploitation and human trafficking.

Partnering with Operation Light Shine and supported by donors like the Tim Tebow Foundation, the task force provides law enforcement with essential tools, funding, and training to combat this modern-day slavery of child exploitation and human trafficking. This collaboration enhances their investigative capabilities with advanced technology and expert resources.

Since its inception in March 2023, the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force has become a national model in the fight against child exploitation, committed to holding offenders accountable and rescuing vulnerable victims. With the full backing of HSI and numerous law enforcement and private sector partners, this task force is resolute in its mission to hold offenders accountable and rescue vulnerable victims.

To report any information about human trafficking, child sexual abuse, or the trafficking in child sexual abuse material immediately to your local sheriff’s office. Those who wish to remain anonymous can report information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their tip line at (800) 843-5678 or report it to them online at report.cybertip.org.