12 arrested in prostitution/Internet predator sting | News

Wauchula, Florida -- Deputies in Hardee County say 12 people have been arrested after a 10-day undercover sting operation involving prostitution and Internet predators of children.

Mug Shot Gallery: Hardee County sex sting pictures

Sheriff Arnold Lanier says the charges include possession of narcotics, prostitution, obscene communications to a juvenile, and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor.

Arrested are:

• Abraham Jackson of Tampa; possession of marijuana, destroying evidence
• Marcie Michelle Anstead of Tampa; soliciting prostitution
• Amber Lynn Mitchell of Tulsa, OK; soliciting prostitution
• Ronald E. Ceulemans of Ruskin; soliciting prostitution
• Eric Joseph Lentovich of Fort Myers; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor
• Stephen Mizner of Sarasota; soliciting a parent to participate in sexual activity with a minor, traveling to meet a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a child, attempted sexual battery and the unlawful use of two-way communications to facilitate a felony offense
• James Michael Briggs of Fort Myers; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor
• Alvin Lamar Thompson of Okeechobee; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor
• Scott Andrew Milboer of Naples; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor, lewd and lascivious battery - sexual act with a person 12-15 years of age, and use of two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
• Steven Peter Leach of Brandon; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor
• Juan Carlos Aldana of Tampa; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor, possession of marijuana
• Terrell Leaf Palmer of Auburndale; obscene communication with a juvenile and traveling for sexual purposes in order to have sex with a minor

Several other Florida police agencies were involved in this operation.  The Sarasota Sheriff's Office said one suspect, Stephen Mizner, was arrested for arranging to have sex with a 10-year-old girl.

When he was arrested, deputies say Mizner had Skittles candy and condoms in his possession.