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Online sex sting nets 28 arrests

KISSIMMEE, Fla., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A multi-agency police child sex sting in Florida netted 28 suspects, including a substitute teacher, a Tampa soldier and a former Navy pilot, officials said.

The online sting was run on a series of websites and mobile dating smartphone applications and featured officers posing as young people, ages 11 to 15, seeking sex or relatives of children offering them up for sex, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Monday.

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Suspects -- ages 19 to 52 -- included a woman who was arrested along with her husband, police said.

Some of the suspects brought condoms, sex toys or candy, police reports indicate. One man sent a picture of his genitals to solicit sex with a prepubescent boy.

Ads included the headlines: "Single dad with lovely daughter. Looking for another man who is willing to help with her" and "Open Minded stepmom avail this weekend."

Charges varied by case but included attempted lewd or lascivious battery, traveling to seduce a child or meet a minor for sex, use of a computer to solicit a child or guardian for sex, attempted sexual battery and procuring a child for prostitution.

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Most of the suspects are from the area near where the sting was staged in Osceola County, though some came from farther away in Florida.

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