A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office civilian employee has been caught in a child predator sting. Terrance Owens, 32, faces a string of charges, among which include traveling to meet a minor for sex, lewd and lascivious battery, human trafficking, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, as Action News Jax reports. Action News Jax also stated that he was found in possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Owens' arrest on September 15 was part of a wider crackdown in St. Johns County, where over a four-day operation, 17 individuals were apprehended for seeking sexual encounters with children and sex offender registration violations, this included falsifying information about their vehicles or, failing to report addresses, internet identities and jobs, according to News4Jax. The operations were a joint effort between local, state, and federal agencies.
First Coast News reports that Owens was terminated from his position following his arrest. Details from their coverage revealed the collaborative nature of the investigation, with the inclusion of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the State Attorney's Office. They all provided instrumental support in the operations conducted by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) units. First Coast News emphasized the coordinated approach in apprehending online predators.
In the lead-up to Halloween, Mark Glass, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner, cautioned parents to remain attentive. "Go to the FDLE website, look at the offender database," Glass advised during a news conference. He urged parents to "Pay attention to everything you possibly can," information relayed by News4Jax.
