Online Sex Sting Leads To Arrest Of 2 St. Pete Men: Sheriff

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Twenty-two men around the Tampa Bay area, including two from St. Petersburg, face multiple charges stemming from an online sex sting by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. "Operation Social Bust" targeted online sexual predators as detectives posed as girls and boys on social media.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said St. Pete resident Christopher Lalley, 33, faces charges of human trafficking for commercial sexual activity and unlawful use of two-way communication device.

Detectives said Lalley offered $125 for a teenager to have sex with him. He traveled from St. Pete to an undisclosed location in Hillsborough County to meet the "14-year-old girl." During his arrest, detectives found cash, condoms and alcohol in Lalley's possession. (A video provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at the bottom of this article has footage of the arrests and mugshots.)

Investigators said Fabian Gomez, 33, of St. Pete faces charges of use of computer services or device to solicit certain illegal acts and transmission of harmful material to a minor.

The operation took place from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2, said police.

Sheriff Chad Chronister urged parents to be mindful of what their children are doing online and to frequently monitor who they are talking to on social media.

"When it comes to children being online, there is no such thing as being overprotective,” said Sheriff Chronister in a news release. “Take the necessary steps to educate your child to prevent these online predators from taking their innocence.”