Hospitality

The good folks of Polk County were kind enough to host a weekend convention for child predators:

Another visitor was coming.

Deputies watched as the blue motorcycle drew near the small, ordinary house in southern Polk County.

Four surveillance cameras captured the approach, feeding the images to a bank of flat-screen monitors inside. The deputies quickly strapped on vests before lining up near the door.

Outside, Nicholas Arcahontakis took off his helmet, cut the engine but hesitated.

Before he could leave, deputies rushed out, tackling the 26-year-old Clearwater man to the ground.

Moments later, he was swept inside.

Arcahontakis was one of 20 people arrested in a weekend sting, accused of trying to seduce children over the Internet.

The supposed victims were really law enforcement officers posing online as part of a multi-agency operation.

You know that dreadful feeling you get when, as you're slamming the car door closed, you realize you've left your keys in the car? Arriving at a rendezvous point where you anticipated nailing a kid, only to be greeted by the sheriff's department must be kind of like that. Perhaps even a little worse:

Those arrested ranged in age from 19 to 61. They came from as far way as Gainesville to as close as Davenport. Only two arrests were of Polk County residents.

As deputies brought them into the house, some became so emotional that they appeared to cry. One vomited.

That must be from the realization that your life has now officially turned to shit.

Good job, Sheriff Grady Judd and the Polk County Sheriff's Department. Congrats also to The Ledger for being able to keep mum that a sting was coming. That meant they got to be part of the welcoming committee and write us a good story.

(Via Owen in e-mail.)