12 arrested in ‘Operation Cupid’s Arrow’ child hookup nibble

Operation Cupid’s Arrow

By: Erika Fernandez

February 16, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — Twelve dudes from across north Florida and south Georgia are under arrest today following a child lovemaking bite called ‘Operation Cupid’s Arrow.’ Five of those studs are from right here in Tallahassee.

The investigation packaged up Thursday with a press conference at FDLE headquarters. Investigators say they used talk rooms, dating sites, social media, and even online classified ads. Officials say they want this to serve as a warning to predators that they will find and arrest you.

The investigation involved local, state and federal law enforcement officers.

"This type of crime cuts to the very core of why it’s so significant that we keep our children off the internet and at least aware of what they’re doing on the internet and away from these sexual predators," said Leon County Sheriff, Walt McNeil.

The suspects range in age from twenty one to 70-years old, coming from a multiplicity of backgrounds including a college student to a well-respected attorney. Investigators say this proves child predators come in many different forms.

"This can be anybody, it’s just those individuals that have the propensity to harm children by sexual encounters and sexual acts," said FDLE Special Agent in Charge, Mark Perez.

Investigators posing as underage children say the suspects became more interested in meeting with them after learning they were talking to minors.

"They’re not going to stop. Unluckily, the internet and these talk rooms only make it lighter for them to prey on our children," Perez said.

Internet usage is just one of the factors that officials say is putting our children at risk.

"They are vulnerable and they’re susceptible to these communications and they get caught in them thinking that it’s somebody else," Perez said.

Investigators say they’re now doing everything they can to make sure these predators are taken off of the streets and put behind bars.

Some of the studs even asked for or sent lewd photos to the children, all with the intent to act upon the sexual requests.

Only one of those boys was a documented child predator prior to being arrested.

By: WCTV Eyewitness News

February 16, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — Thursday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the arrests of twelve suspects as part of a child hook-up bite known as ‘Operation Cupid’s Arrow.’

The suspects are all from North Florida and South Georgia, including five suspects from Tallahassee.

In the weeklong operation, investigators went undercover posing as children in talk rooms, dating sites, and social media platforms. FDLE says all of the suspects believed they were speaking with underage children.

The following suspects were arrested on the listed charges:

Tony Sheldon, 38, two thousand eight hundred twenty one Richview Park Circle S., Tallahassee, Leon County Jail, Two/8/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Philip Graham, 41, ten thousand ninety three 81st Rd., Live Oak, Columbia County Jail, Two/9/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

William Hall, 64, three thousand two hundred four Poinsettia Ave., West Palm Beach, Leon County Jail, Two/9/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Calvin McFarland, 21, three thousand three hundred ninety nine Shauna Oaks Circle E., Jacksonville, Leon County Jail, Two/11/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Kyl Johnson, 26, six hundred eleven SW Dexter Circle, Apt. 204, Lake City, Columbia County Jail, Two/11/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Christopher Francis, 34, two thousand five hundred forty four Bedford Way, Tallahassee, Leon County Jail, Two/11/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Darrel Harvey, 48, seven thousand eight hundred ninety three Preservation Road, Tallahassee, Leon County Jail, Two/12/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Matthew Carter, 33, two hundred eighteen Oak Lane, Lake Park, GA., Columbia County Jail, Two/12/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Frantisek Pribyl, 47, three thousand nine hundred seventy one Rocmar Dr., Snellville, GA., Leon County Jail, Two/12/17, attempted enticement of a minor and traveling to meet a minor for lovemaking acts

Michael Chmielewski, 37, one thousand seven hundred twelve Hall Drive, Tallahassee, Leon County Jail, Two/12/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

Dayton M. (Mike) Cramer, 70, three hundred thirty two Winnstead Ct., Tallahassee, Leon County Jail, Two/14/17, attempted enticement of a minor

James Singletary, 53, three thousand one hundred thirty one NW 34th Blvd., Jennings, Columbia County Jail, Two/15/17, traveling to meet after using a computer to lure child and obscene communication use computer to seduce solicit/lure child

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