A 33-year-old Gainesville man was taken into custody after a multi-agency task force uncovered evidence of online child exploitation involving multiple minors.
Gainesville, FL – On Wednesday morning, members of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the agency’s SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a home in the 4300 block of SW 68th Terrace. The warrant targeted 33-year-old Aaron Eliot-Gaines, who was under investigation for alleged child exploitation activities.
Key Points
- Investigators say suspect engaged in sexually explicit conversations with minors, one as young as 11.
- SWAT-assisted search warrant executed Wednesday morning in southwest Gainesville.
- Eliot-Gaines faces multiple felony charges, including production and possession of child pornography.
SWAT-assisted operation leads to arrest
According to investigators, an ICAC Task Force detective determined that Eliot-Gaines had engaged in sexually explicit communications with several minors through online platforms. When detectives arrived at the residence, Eliot-Gaines was detained without incident. Officers seized all electronic devices from the home, which are now undergoing a full forensic analysis.
Multiple felony charges filed
Following the search, Eliot-Gaines was arrested and charged with one count of Production of Child Pornography, two counts of Possession of Child Pornography, two counts of Solicitation of Child Pornography, three counts of Harmful Communication to a Minor, and eleven counts of Transmission of Harmful Material to Minors.
Authorities said the joint investigation underscores the continued collaboration between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department. Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children from online exploitation and bringing offenders to justice.
