<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3lDlW6_1Gs0Ih4c00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3lDlW6_1Gs0Ih4c00" width="648" height="898" ><figcaption>Shawn Colfer [Photo from HCSO]</figcaption></figure>In mid-October, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit executed an undercover operation reminiscent of the “The Catch a Predator” reality TV series.Over two weeks, three individuals were arrested attempting to engage in sexual conduct with someone they believed to be a minor.Shawn Colfer, 32, was contacted by detectives through social media and sent explicit images to someone he believed to be 14 years old. On Oct 15, he traveled from his home in Clearwater for a meet-up where he was instead arrested and later admitted to communicating and sending images as well intending to establish a long-term “friends with benefits” relationship with a minor. He was charged with two counts of transmitting information harmful to a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and traveling to meet after use of a computer to lure a minor.Salvatore Va, 34, was first contacted by detectives in an online chat on Oct. 15 before transferring communications to text messages. He sent nude images to someone he believed to be 15 years old and agreed to a meeting but never showed.Then Oct. 29, Sergeant Keiper was contacted by someone who was later identified as Va using a new online identity. Va, believing he had contacted a minor through a phone number he said he obtained online, again texted nude images and another meeting was arranged. This time Va showed up and was arrested. Upon being interviewed by detectives, Va requested an attorney. He was charged with traveling to meet a minor, two counts of transmission of material harmful to a minor and two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1d0msN_1Gs0Ih4c00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1d0msN_1Gs0Ih4c00" width="1052" height="1316" ><figcaption>Salvatore Va [Photo from HCSO]</figcaption></figure>On Oct. 16, Keaton Bradley Ellis, 22, was contacted through an online chat and eventually texts. During communications with someone he believed was 15 years old, he sent a nude image and agreed to a meeting where he was arrested.Ellis confirmed owning the online account involved and knowingly communicating with someone he thought was a minor, as well as sending multiple images including a nude. He also admitted his intention in traveling to the meeting was to have sexual relations with a minor.He is being charged with traveling to meet a minor, transmission of material harmful to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2W80Ui_1Gs0Ih4c00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2W80Ui_1Gs0Ih4c00" width="1028" height="1206" ><figcaption>Keaton Ellis [Photo from HCSO]</figcaption></figure></div></body>

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In mid-October, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit executed an undercover operation reminiscent of the “The Catch a Predator” reality TV series. Over two weeks, three individuals were arrested attempting to engage in sexual conduct with someone they believed to be a...

HCSO arrests three in ‘To Catch a Predator’ undercover operation

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In mid-October, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit executed an undercover operation reminiscent of the “The 

HCSO arrests three in ‘To Catch a Predator’ undercover operation

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