(Citrus County, FL) On May 15, 2024, 41-year-old Sean Robert Mooney was sentenced to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections for his arrest during an undercover operation last year. Mooney was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device.
Back in March of 2023, Mooney was arrested by Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) officials during CCSO’s High Tech Crimes Unit undercover Internet Crimes Against Children operation called Operation Lucky Strike. The operation was aimed at apprehending internet cyber predators who attempted to engage in sexual activity with a child.
“With the advancements in technology, it’s becoming easier for offenders like this defendant to prey upon our children,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “My office is grateful for our law enforcement partners who continue to apprehend these predators.”
As part of the operation, law enforcement officials posed as minors on websites waiting to be solicited through online messages by child predators, who would send sexually explicit pictures, messages, and detailed requests of various sexual activities they wanted to perform with the child.
During the operation, law enforcement officials were contacted by Mooney, who had knowingly texted and called who he believed to be a 14-year-old female child. After continuing to send sexually explicit messages to the decoy, Mooney agreed to meet up with the juvenile at a designated location.
Shortly after, Mooney showed up at the location where authorities took him into custody. CCSO detectives interviewed the defendant, who eventually admitted to speaking with a 14-year-old child.
Upon further investigation, officials discovered that Mooney was registered as a Sex Offender, a designation requirement stemming from a Virginia case where he was also charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Blake Shore.
CCSO Operation Video: https://youtu.be/GQGWk5dxomc?si=3Y8fzpAEduP_Vwtw
Published 05/16/2024.