Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that 22 men were arrested following an undercover operation aimed at people who sought out sex with minors.
“Operation Social Bust” ran from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 and detectives posed as underage girls and boys on social media to find online sexual predators.
One was Christian Ramirez, 37, a registered sex offender from Texas who lives in Plant City. Ramirez drove to Riverview on Oct. 1 to meet up with what he thought was a 14-year-old boy for sex and was arrested. He has been charged with using computer services or device to solicit certain illegal acts, transmission of harmful material to a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and traveling to meet a minor after using computer services/devices to solicit certain illegal acts.
The 22 men arrested either hailed from Hillsborough County or traveled to Hillsborough with intent to meet up with minors.
“Protecting children from online predators is a responsibility we take very seriously and a steadfast commitment of your Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a press release.
