132 Arrests Made in 'Operation Cyber Vigilance'

There are a few less people surfing the Internet in Florida today hoping to hook in a minor or two for elicit activities.

That’s the word from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as the results of a “Operation Cyber Vigilance” were released today. During the course of the several month-long investigation, a number of law enforcement agencies throughout the state worked together to bring down bad guys they say use the Internet to lure minors for sexual activities.

A number of agencies throughout the state contributed to the investigation, including the Sarasota and Manatee county sheriff’s offices. The task force’s operations took place between March 19 and July 20.

The purpose was to ferret out people “who chat with ‘minors’ online for the purpose of meeting them and engaging in sexual activity,” an email to media from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office stated. When all was said and done, 132 arrests were made with 282 charges filed against individuals from all over the state.

“The suspects were arrested on a variety of charges, the most common ones being traveling to meet a minor and using an online service to lure/entice a minor,” the email said. “Other charges included narcotics related offenses, active fugitive warrants and resisting arrest.”

Those arrested ranged in age from their 20s through 70s, and represented “various walks of life,” the sheriff’s office email stated. They include a former police officer, a Disney employee, a postal worker and a pizza deliveryman.

Bela Sziklassy, 71, was arrested for traveling to meet a 12-year-old and possession of child pornography. The Pinellas County resident told deputies his interests included children in “diapers to 11 years old.”

An Animal Kingdom employee arrested in the sting “told investigators he fantasized about having sex with a 14 year-old boy and that this was not the first time he travelled to have sex with an underage boy,” the email stated.

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned that children are the most vulnerable in today’s technology age.

“Online predators are a top public safety issue across the state,” the email quoted him as say. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue to utilize every law enforcement
resource we have at our disposal to protect our kids from these individuals.”