In its second year of operation, the Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force in northeast Florida has intensified efforts against child exploitation. The task force is issuing a strong warning to predators, emphasizing that their actions will be uncovered through the combined resources of multiple agencies.
Throughout 2024, the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force launched 1,220 investigations and addressed 728 Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. During these operations, investigators seized 122 electronic devices containing over 10 million images and videos. Among these were more than 48,000 items identified as child sexual abuse material. This led to the identification of 28 victims and resulted in 66 arrests, with several cases still ongoing or under prosecution.
The INTERCEPT Task Force is composed of various local, state, and federal law enforcement entities. These include 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 with private sector partners like Operation Light Shine and donors such as the Tim Tebow Foundation, they adopt a comprehensive approach to address child exploitation and human trafficking.
Since its establishment in March 2023, the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force has been recognized as a national model in combating child exploitation. It remains committed to holding offenders accountable while rescuing vulnerable victims with support from HSI and numerous partners.
For any information regarding human trafficking or child sexual abuse materials, individuals are encouraged to report it immediately to their local sheriff's office or anonymously through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's tip line at (800) 843-5678 or online at report.cybertip.org.
