Underage sex sting nabs 30 men in Sarasota County

By FOX 4 Staff

CREATED Feb. 20, 2013

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  • A child sex sting in Sarasota County led to 30 arrests including three men with ties to Southwest Florida. Video by fox4now.com

    video

  • Robert Blackburn

  • Ralph Eachus

  • Corey Maglothin

SARASOTA, Fla. - A child sex sting in Sarasota County led to 30 arrests including three men with ties to Southwest Florida.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office conducted an online sting called Operation Intercept II looking for child predators.

The suspects responded to Internet-based ads or social media posts and engaged in sexually explicit written and verbal responses. 

All ultimately traveled to Sarasota County with the intent to have sex with a child or children.

Among the 30 arrested were Robert Blackburn of Fort Myers, Ralph Eachus of Port Charlotte and Naples High grad Corey Maglothin.

Watch FOX 4 News at 6, 10 and 11 for more in this law enforcement sting.