In a major crackdown on online child exploitation, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced the successful culmination of an undercover operation called "Valiant Knights." The operation, which took place from April 24 to April 28, resulted in the arrest of 27 men who had used the internet to solicit sex acts with children.

According to Sheriff Waters, undercover detectives posing as children engaged in online conversations with these adults, who willingly solicited sexual activities with the purported minors. The operation also involved pre-arranged meeting locations, where the adults were apprehended upon their arrival.

The 27 men, ranging in age from 19 to 69, come from diverse backgrounds and have been charged with a combination of serious felonies, including coercing sexual activity for human trafficking. Notably, two individuals with public profiles were among those arrested.

One of them is Kevin Pearce, a 58-year-old former employee of Duval County Public Schools. Pearce had allegedly traveled to a prearranged location with the intention of engaging in sexual conduct with a 13-year-old child. The other high-profile arrestee is Austin Maddox, a former MLB player who briefly played for the Boston Red Sox. It is reported that Maddox believed he was communicating with a minor during the online conversations.

Another arrested individual, 36-year-old Matthew Moses, thought he was arranging a meeting with a stepmother who was willing to allow him to have sexual relations with her stepdaughter. Christopher Brand, 69, also engaged in solicitation of what he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

Further investigations led to the arrest of three additional predators, bringing the total number of arrests to 27. Disturbingly, some of the suspects were attempting to force children into prostitution. Others lived in proximity to schools, engaged in chat groups, and used various websites to facilitate their illicit activities. In some cases, suspects were found with weapons, drugs, condoms, and sex enhancement pills.

Sheriff Waters emphasized the commitment of JSO and their partnering agencies towards safeguarding the well-being of children. He acknowledged the evolving dangers presented by the internet, providing new avenues for predators to exploit vulnerable individuals. The efforts of investigators and law enforcement agencies aim to proactively identify and apprehend these child predators before they can act upon their intentions.

Anyone who has been a victim or has information related to these arrests is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477) to report the crime anonymously.

The arrests made during the "Valiant Knights" operation serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for continued vigilance to protect children from exploitation in the digital age.