TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 23, 2016) – Today the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Task Force released the results of Operation Predator, a strategic initiative that verified current locations and criminal backgrounds of the over 46,000 permanent sexual predator residents in the state. During this operation, deputies verified information of Florida’s sexual predator and offenders, including their addresses, registration violations, number of related warrants served through arrests and number of ancillary arrests made through this enforcement operation.

“Sexual offenses are a trauma we don’t want any family in any of our communities to experience,” said FSA President and Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell. “Enforcing sexual predator policies is a high priority in order for Florida law officials to keep families safe.”

The following are the result of the two-week operation in February and March 2016:

• 1,432 total sexual predator address verifications
• 9,407 total sexual offender address verifications
• 19 total sexual predators arrested/charged for registration violation
• 115 total sexual offenders arrested/charged for registration violations
• 63 total related warrants served through arrests
• 67 total ancillary arrests made through this operation enforcement

“Operation Predator allows our Sheriffs Offices to better predict dangers that could potentially harm our children and community members,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Chair of FSA’s Task Force. “The data found informs the public of possible threats and helps better prepare our task force to defend Florida residents.”

Operation Predator contributes to two of the FSA business operations goals: to protect Florida’s youth and to promote the activities of Sheriffs. The results of this task force operation have led to updated information being added to FDLE’s sexual offender and predator directory. The directory is located at offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/sops/search.jsf.

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The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has quietly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit http://www.flsheriffs.org.