GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – At a news conference Wednesday, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook announced the arrest of 10 men in connection with “Operation Shining Light,” an undercover sting aimed at catching those using the internet to sexually exploit children.
Those arrested ranged in age from 19 to 53 years old, and all believed they were chatting online with a child who was either 13 or 14 years old, Cook said.
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One of the men, 30-year-old Luke Parrish, engaged two different undercover chatters during the four-day operation, Cook said.
The operation ran from Aug. 2-6.
Cook said the delay in announcing the arrests after the sting operation was because investigators were working to ensure “that the charges would stick.”
“We wanted to make sure that we had done everything to the fullest extent possible and that we had done it right,” Cook said. “The investigation continued through interviews, subpoenas, search warrants -- so that all the cases could be wrapped up and solid before we came forward with the names and the information.”
Three of the men now face federal charges, including one arrested in California and one arrested in Gainesville, Georgia.
Here’s the list of the men arrested, with their age, city and charges:
- Marc Conner Jubin, 27, Jacksonville: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.
- Detavious Denard McDuffie, 26, Rhine, Ga.: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.
- Scott Christopher Smith, 39, Jacksonville: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.
- Eric Jayson Torres Jiminez, 38, Jacksonville: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.
- Luke Joshua Parrish, 30, Jacksonville: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices through a parent, custodian, or legal guardian, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.
- Bryan Brandon Martinez, 19, Crescent City: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.
- Reginald Renaldo Jefferson Jr., 29, Jacksonville: Soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act, and fleeing and eluding police.
- Shawn Lei Burge, 49, Tallahassee: Charged federally with online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution of child pornography.
- Jason Charles Nicholas, 53, Ramona, Calif.: Charged federally with distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
- Jose Luis Gonzalez Jr., 33, Gainesville, Ga.: Charged federally with five counts of distribution of child sexual abuse materials
“There’s no telling how many victims we saved, how many victims we prevented by getting these 10 men off the street,” Cook said. “I think it shows you the amount of this activity that’s going on out there.”
Cook had a warning for parents: If you think, “my child would never fall for this,” think again.
“Your job as a parent is to protect your children, and, unfortunately, in today’s technology age, suspects, people who want to hurt your kids, are accessing them through social media and through any device that has internet access,” Cook said.
She said if anyone needs advice on how to start those difficult conversations with their children, the Sheriff’s Office is ready to help.
“It is difficult. It’s embarrassing. It’s uncomfortable,” Cook acknowledged. “But I’d much rather have a difficult conversation than a child who’s been victimized.”
Local and federal agencies played essential roles in the operation’s execution and success, the Sheriff’s Office said, acknowledging specifically:
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO)
- State Attorney’s Office (SAO), 4th Judicial Circuit
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
- St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO)
- Orange Park Police Department
- Intercept Task Force
- Operation Light Shine