Operation Cooked: 20 men arrested in undercover online sting targeting child predators
Operation Cooked: 20 arrested in undercover, online predator bust
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon held a news conference to share details on "Operation Cooked," a 5-day undercover operation that targeted adults allegedly attempting to exploit children via the internet. Officials announced the arrest of 20 men. He was joined by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Twenty people – all men – were arrested during an undercover online operation in Osceola County that targeted people allegedly looking to meet children for sex, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
‘Operation Cooked’
The backstory:
"Operation Cooked" was conducted between Sept. 2–5, 2026, and involved nine law enforcement agencies, who deployed undercover detectives on various online websites and apps, the sheriff's office said. Officials then arrested the man after they allegedly showed up to various meeting points.
By the numbers:
Those arrested ranged in age between 22 and 64 years old. Some were in Florida on vacation, some were fathers, and five were found to be in the country illegally, the sheriff's office said.
What they're saying:
"These 20 individuals believed a screen granted them anonymity to target children. Instead, it led them straight to a jail cell. Our jurisdiction will remain a hostile environment for anyone seeking to harm to a child," said Sheriff Christopher Blackmon.
"In Florida, there will be no mercy for the merciless," said Attorney General James Uthmeier.
"These arrests send a clear message: If you prey on our children and our communities, we will find you, and you will be held accountable," said Lt. Governor Jay Collins.
What you can do:
The sheriff's office and leaders encouraged parents to stay alert and be aware of what their children are doing online, and to whom they could be interacting with.
The Source: This story uses information gathered during a press conference at the Osceola County Sheriff's Office and statements from Sheriff Christopher Blackmon, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Lt. Governor Jay Collins, as well as a news release.