Community Corner
Another Man Arrested in Child Sex Sting
Jeffrey Hodge chatted with an undercover detective who he thought was a child as part of the Manatee County Sheriff's "Operation Green Shepherd II," officials said.
A Sarasota man is charged with using a computer to solicit a minor to engage in sex acts, among other charges, after authorities said he chatted with an undercover detective he thought was a child as part of a sting operation.
Jeffrey Hodge was arrested Friday as part of in which Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives posed as children online and set up meetings at an undercover residence in Manatee. Thirty-five people showed up thinking they were meeting children for sex and were subsequently arrested and charged.
Even though Hodge didn't travel, he was still charged with two counts of transmission of harmful material to a child and one count of promoting sexual performance of a child, the sheriff's office said.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hodge was arrested Friday in Sarasota.
Related Coverage
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- 35 Arrested in Child Sex Sting in Manatee County
- Online Sting Nets Registered Sex Offender
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