Man arrested Citrus County sting operation sentenced to 10 years in prison
CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida man was sentenced after he was arrested last year during an undercover operation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida said Thursday.
The State Attorney’s Office said 41-year-old Sean Robert Mooney was sentenced to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections after being charged with traveling to meet a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
Mooney was arrested in March 2023 during CCSO’s Operation Lucky Strike, an undercover operation aimed at apprehending cyber predators attempting to engage in sexual acts with children.
“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.”
Law enforcement posed as minors on websites to find child predators who would send sexually explicit pictures, messages, and requests for sexual activities with children.
During the operation, Mooney contacted officials posing as a minor, who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. After sending sexually explicit messages, Mooney agreed to meet the assumed juvenile.
Authorities took Mooney into custody during the pre-determined meeting. Authorities discovered Mooney was a registered sex offender due to a prior case where he was also charged with traveling to meet a minor.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Blake Shore.
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