Newberry Man Arrested in Child Predator Sting
On July 31, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies arrested Craig Michael McCostlin Jr., 26, after he was caught in their child predator sting dubbed “Operation Firewall.” McCostlin is one of 16 men who ACSO arrested in the sting.
McCostlin made contact with an undercover law enforcement officer on Grindr who identified themselves as a 15-year-old girl. McCostlin began the conversation with sex talk and continued to engage her after learning her age.
According to the arrest report, McCostlin “traveled from their residence in Newberry, Florida, to a location in Alachua County, Florida, with the intention of meeting a juvenile for sexual activities… [McCostlin] was taken into custody by law enforcement at the location they arranged to meet…”
Officers seized McCostlin’s cell phone when searching his vehicle.
McCostlin spoke to police in an interview which is summarized by Deputy Jayson Francis:
“[McCostlin] was interviewed post arrest at the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. Post Miranda, [McCostlin] stated that he thought the juvenile persona was sixteen years old. After learning the age of the juvenile persona, [McCostlin] admitted to sending an image of his penis, and requesting a nude image of the juvenile persona. [McCostlin] admitted to engaging in conversation with the juvenile persona for the purpose of coordinating a sexual encounter. [McCostlin] admitted to using his cellular telephone to access Grindr, send and receive text messages and calls, and access Snapchat, all to engage in illicit conversation with the juvenile persona.”
McCostlin was charged with traveling to meet a minor after online solicitation and using a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to ten years in prison.
McCostlin is held without bond due to prosecutors filing a successful pretrial detention motion.
