The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested 42-year-old Zachariah Salak of Jacksonville after investigators say he sent messages to a juvenile and failed to register several online accounts, as required under Florida law. Agents took Salak into custody on Feb. 10, wrapping up the first phase of an investigation that began in January and involved law enforcement in both Coconut Creek and Jacksonville. The case remains open as authorities continue looking for possible additional victims.
Investigation and arrest
Salak faces one count of transmission of harmful material to a minor, eight counts of failure to register electronic mail addresses or internet identifiers, three counts of tampering with evidence, and several other registration-related charges. According to FDLE, the investigation kicked off in January after Coconut Creek police asked for help, and agents arrested Salak on Feb. 10 before transporting him to the Duval County Jail. The State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit is set to prosecute the case.
Online accounts and alleged contacts
According to Action News Jax, investigators traced inappropriate Snapchat messages to Salak and linked them to multiple online accounts that were not registered with the state. Those unregistered accounts reportedly included platforms popular with children, such as Roblox and Discord. Authorities believe there could be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
What the law requires
Florida law requires registered offenders to provide all electronic mail addresses and internet identifiers, keep that information current, and report residential changes within specific timeframes. Failing to comply can be a felony. The state’s Sexual Offender and Predator System outlines those obligations and the reporting tools used to track them. For a detailed summary of registration duties and deadlines, see the FAQ on FDLE.
How parents can protect kids online
Parents and caregivers can lower risk by tightening privacy settings, keeping devices in shared spaces, and having frank conversations with kids about who they talk to online and what they share. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers age-appropriate guides, reporting tools, and the NetSmartz curriculum to help families navigate online safety. If you suspect a child is being targeted, save messages or screenshots and report concerns to local law enforcement and NCMEC’s CyberTipline.
FDLE says its investigation into Salak remains active, and agents are still seeking tips from the public. Anyone with information is asked to call the FDLE Miami office at (305) 470-5500, as noted by Action News Jax. Additional details are expected to emerge through court filings and official updates as the case moves through the system.
