Fort Rucker man arrested in sex sting operation

A Fort Rucker man was among 10 people arrested in Walton County, Fla. recently in an undercover sex sting operation.

The operation, called "Operation Turkey Hunt," was conducted by a group of law enforcement agencies who are members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

As part of the sting, the Walton County Sheriff's Office arrested Jerry Hartman, 40, of Fort Rucker.

According to a press release from the Walton County Sheriff's Office, individuals taken into custody traveled from multiple locations with the intent to have sexual relations with a minor.

The operation ran from Nov. 13-18 and involved numerous posts on social networking websites.

Undercover profiles were used online of mostly juvenile females and males with the approximate age of 12 to 13 years old.

The online advertisements were posted to target suspects who engage in sexual activities with underage minors within the state of Florida.

"Ten individuals responded to online advertisements through the use of email and electronic communication," wrote Catherine Rodriguez of the WCSO in a press release. "During conversations with some of the suspects and the undercover officer, who was posing as a 12-year-old female's mother, the suspects solicited the 'mother' to engage in sexual activity with a 12-year-old female."

Rodriguez states other conversations consisted of the suspect engaging in conversation with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old male, and the suspect solicited the 13 year-old to engage in sexual activity.

During the course of the conversations, the suspects obtained an address and upon their arrival were all taken into custody.

"The suspect ages ranged from early twenties to early fifties and occupations run the gamut from active duty military, steel worker, retail sales, unemployed and a preacher," Rodriguez writes.

Each of the suspects were booked into the Walton County Department of Corrections and placed under a $1 million bond.

"We want those individuals who would prey on our children to be afraid of what is waiting behind the door for them. I want them to understand that when it comes to protecting our children we are the boogeyman waiting to get them," said Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson.

In the coming weeks, additional arrests could be made in connection with "Operation Turkey Hunt."

The other nine suspects arrested in the sting are:

* John Reyes, 42, Mobile

* Ren Greco, 25, Lynn Haven, Fla.

* Mohammed Alhamdy, 30, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

* Scott Newbern, 51, Miramar Beach, Fla.

* Charles Maines, 21, Ebro, Fla.

* William, Moodie, 24, Miramar Beach, Fla.

* Timothy Coffey, 39, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

* Melvin Andrews, 24, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

* Nick Walker, 22, Freeport, Fla.