ALACHUA COUNTY – The Alachua Police Department joined local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in a three-day undercover operation that resulted in the arrests of 16 people accused of attempting to sexually exploit children online.
Operation Firewall, hosted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office as part of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, was conducted July 30 through Aug. 1. Investigators said the suspects traveled to or within Alachua County intending to engage in criminal activity involving a child.
The Alachua Police Department participated in the investigation as a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which brings together agencies from across the region to investigate internet-facilitated crimes against children.
“The protection of our children will always be a priority,” Alachua Police Chief Jesse Sandusky said.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, those arrested were 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 and Richard Moore.
Investigators said each suspect traveled to or within Alachua County after allegedly communicating online with someone they believed to be a child, with the intent of engaging in criminal activity involving a minor.
During the operation, law enforcement officers seized three firearms, vehicles, narcotics, drug paraphernalia and adult intimate devices.
Operation Firewall brought together investigators from numerous local, state and federal agencies working through the North Florida ICAC Task Force. Participating agencies included 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, Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
The Sheriff’s Office credited the participating agencies with dedicating extensive time and resources to protecting children and holding offenders accountable through proactive enforcement efforts.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is a nationwide network of law enforcement agencies that investigates technology-facilitated crimes against children, including online enticement, child sexual exploitation and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Undercover operations such as Operation Firewall are designed to identify individuals attempting to exploit children before a child becomes a victim.
Sheriff’s officials emphasized that protecting children extends beyond law enforcement investigations and begins with education and awareness.
Parents and guardians seeking information about online safety, including popular apps, warning signs of inappropriate online behavior and ways to help children navigate the digital world safely, are encouraged to contact the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Digital Crimes Unit.
Authorities also urged parents to report suspected inappropriate online communications involving children as soon as possible. Reports can be made to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children or the social media platform or internet service provider involved.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active. Additional information regarding the individual criminal charges against each defendant had not been released as of Monday.
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