GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Five men left their homes in Jacksonville in August, believing they were meeting a child for sex.

Instead, law enforcement agencies were waiting.

“Operation Lightshine,” a four-day undercover operation, was created on Aug. 2 to “identify and apprehend individuals using the internet to sexually exploit children.”

The operation led to 10 arrests, including two men from Georgia and one from California. All used apps to message victims they believed to be 13 or 14.

“During ‘Operation Lightshine,’ investigators and agents went undercover as children online to uncover and capture individuals involved in child sexual exploitation,” Cook said. “During the operation, they successfully identified several suspects engaged in these activities. Once the operation concluded, investigators needed to gather more evidence, some which required search warrants, to ensure that these suspects could be prosecuted and held accountable. This complex process involved a thorough investigation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies at the local and federal levels across the country. As a result of these efforts, 10 individuals attempting to sexually exploit minors were arrested.”

Those arrested in the sting were:

• Marc Conner Jubin, 27, of Jacksonville, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.

• Detavious Denard McDuffie, 26, of Rhine, Georgia, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.

• Scott Christopher Smith, 39, of Jacksonville, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.

• Eric Jayson Jiminez, 38, of Jacksonville, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.

• Luke Joshua Parrish, 30, of Jacksonville, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices through a parent, custodian, or legal guardian, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act. According to the arrest report, Parrish agreed to meet with a girl who said she was 14, and he texted the “mother” of a 13-year-old who was being sold for sex.

• Bryan Brandon Martinez, 19, of Crescent City, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device and traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act.

• Shawn Lei Burge, 49, of Tallahassee, with online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and the distribution of child pornography.

• Reginald Renaldo Jefferson, 29, of Jacksonville, with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, traveling to meet a minor to commit an unlawful sex act and attempting to flee and elude police.

• Jason Charles Nicholas, 53, of Ramona, California, with distribution of child sexual abuse materials over the internet.

• Jose Luis Gonzalez Jr., 33, of Gainesville, Georgia, with five counts of distribution of child sexual abuse materials over the internet.

The collaborative effort involved various agencies, including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, States Attorneys’ Office, 4th Judicial Circuit, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Orange Park Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

CCSO joined forces with seven other law enforcement agencies eight months ago to combat human trafficking and child exploitation. They joined with Operation Lightshine to create the largest task force to fight child exploitation in the country.

Operation Lightshine is a group organized in 2021 by former U.S. Marine Matt Murphy, whose sister was murdered by a man who sold women and drugs. Former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow joined Murphy’s group, and they merged their fights last March with the Intercept Task Force of Northeast Florida.

“The Intercept Task Force and Operation Lightshine participated in this operation and played a pivotal role,” Cook said.

The fact that the task force could net 10 suspects in four days was “alarming, sad and scary,” Cook said. She also said the sweep proves internet chatter involving minors is prevalent.

“I want to emphasize that my top priority are safeguarding our children from harm and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions,” Cook said. “It is critical for parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities. Have conversations with them about any suspicious behavior or encounters they may have online, and report any incidents to authorities.

“Let’s work together as a community to create a safer online environment for our children. Every single day, we’re working to get online predators off the street.”