Jacksonville police arrested a 34‑year‑old Mexican national on charges of attempting to solicit sexual activity with minors through an online chat platform.
The suspect, identified as Jose Malagon, believed he was communicating with teenage girls, but the contacts were actually undercover detectives.
A U.S. Marshals task force located Malagon in Neptune Beach, where he initially resisted arrest before being taken into custody.
During interrogation, Malagon expressed confidence he would avoid severe penalties, referencing a prior DUI arrest in Georgia that resulted in a brief detention.
Officers informed him that Florida law mandates a prison sentence followed by mandatory deportation to his country of origin.
The arrest is part of Operation Checkmate, a coordinated effort to combat online child exploitation, which has led to 30 arrests so far.
Five of those arrested, including Malagon, are undocumented immigrants.
