(Marion County, FL) Yesterday, jurors rendered their verdict in the case against 38-year-old Andre Allen Scott, who was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor, Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct using a Computer, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device to Facilitate a Felony. Jurors found him guilty on all charges. The Honorable Judge Brigham sentenced Scott to 12 Years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 3 Years of Sex Offender Probation, and he will be designated as a Sexual Offender.
“Our community is fortunate to have a dedicated law enforcement agency like that of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, who will leverage their resources and partnerships to conduct these types of extensive operations,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Each time an operation like this is conducted, our children are further protected from predators like this defendant.”
Back in April of 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), along with the assistance of several federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies conducted a sting operation called ‘Operation April Fools.’ The primary purpose of this online operation was to target suspects who use the internet to sexually exploit children with the intention to meet the juveniles.
At the conclusion of their operation, officials arrested 22 individuals, including Scott. Law enforcement officers went undercover and exchanged messages with these individuals, who ultimately traveled to various locations within the county with the expectation that they were meeting a child between the ages of 12 and 16 for sexual activity.
During many of the online exchanges, Scott engaged in sexually explicit conversations with who he believed to be a child. While conversating with the decoy, Scott traveled to a location under the belief he would be meeting with the juvenile. Upon arrival, Scott was placed under arrest by deputies.
Assistant State Attorney Elizabeth White prosecuted this case.
MCSO Operation April Fools video: https://fb.watch/s4IcNsqeFb/
Published on 05/15/2024.