OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. – A four-day operation targeting online sexual predators has resulted in the arrests of six men, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has announced.
Those arrested include men from Shalimar, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Milton.
In its third operation targeting online sexual predators in the last 11 months, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said in addition to the six arrests, Operation Safe Summer has led to warrants that are pending on multiple others.
According to the OCSO, the six individuals who have been arrested face charges of use a computer to solicit a minor, traveling to meet a minor for sex, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
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The OCSO said the suspects are Walter Mochel, 57, of Shalimar, Densworth Hendricks, 32, of Destin, Steven Hooper, 44, of Fort Walton Beach, John Staggs, 45 of Shalimar, Jordan Towery 28, of Milton, and Miguel Santa Maria, 22 of Opelika Alabama.
Hooper is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon and Mochel is also charged with transmission of harmful material to a minor for a photo he allegedly sent.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden, who was with deputies during one of the arrests, said the pro-active work of the OCSO to get online predators off the streets will remain one of his top priorities.
