JSO: 'Operation D.U.V.A.L.' ends with 17 suspects arrested for allegedly trying to solicit minors online

Jacksonville, FL — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is announcing 17 arrests so far, as part of a five-day undercover operation called 'Operation D.U.V.A.L.'

Sheriff Mike Williams says Operation D.U.V.A.L., which stands for disrupting underage virtual abuse locally, was carried out from August 22nd through August 27, with the intent of targeting adults who were seeking out minors online for sexual activity.

"Once communication was established with suspects online, when law enforcement officers--who were posing as minors--were solicited for sexual activity by offenders, meeting locations were established. When the suspects arrived at the prearranged location for the sexual encounter with the minor, they were taken into custody by a law enforcement officer," says Williams.

Williams says while most of the 17 suspects live around Jacksonville, some traveled from as far north as North Carolina and from as far south as Orlando. He says the suspects were led to believe they were meeting up with either 13-year-old or 14-year-old boys and girls.

The suspects themselves range in age from 19-years-old up to 67.

Williams highlighted one of the more surprising arrests officers made during Tuesday's media briefing.

"One suspect, Edward Arthur Stanley, is currently employed as a victim advocate in North Carolina. Stanley was in town for a victim advocate conference in Jacksonville and was staying at a local hotel. After the conference, Stanley arranged and traveled to meet, who he believed to be a 14-year-old female for a sexual encounter. Of course, when he arrived he was taken into custody," says Williams.

In addition to the arrests, JSO says they've identified two other suspects they're still hoping to track down. They add that the investigation is still ongoing and active, so further arrests may be coming.

While the operation was led by JSO, Williams says they had plenty of help from other agencies, including the following: The State Attorney's Office, the US Attorney's Office, and Internet Crimes against Children from the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

A number of sheriff's office also pitched in from Alachua, Brevard, Clay, Manatee, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Police departments from Gainesville, Orange Park, and Tallahassee, were also part of the effort.