Ocala courts: Two men sentenced to prison in online child sex sting operation
Two men charged in an undercover operation aimed at catching adults trying to entice juveniles for sex were sentenced last week. Here's what we know:
State v. Michael Jerrod Bright
Charges: Travel to meet a minor after use of computer to lure child and transmission of harmful material to minor. Two other charges — use computer to seduce/solicit/lure child and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate — were not pursued by prosecutors.
Plea: Bright pleaded no contest on July 18 during a pre-trial conference. He was represented by lawyer Jimmie Sparrow.
Sentence: Two years in prison and two years of probation, with two days of credit for time served in jail after arrest. The prison and probation time will run concurrently.
Special conditions: The 37-year-old Silver Springs man must follow several rules while on probation: He cannot have any contact with anyone younger than 18, cannot access or possess any pornographic or sexually stimulating visual or audio material unless they are part of a treatment plan, and must register as a sexual offender.
Judge: Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti.
Lawyers: Sparrow and Assistant State Attorney Barbara Harris.
About the case: Bright and more than 20 other men were arrested in "Operation April Fools" in 2022. This was a sting where law enforcement officials targeted men who went online to solicit children for sex.
State v. Jerry Tylan Sanstrom
Charges: Travel to meet a minor after use of computer to lure child, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Two other charges — use computer to seduce/solicit/lure child and unlawful use of two-way communications device to facilitate felony — were not prosecuted by the State Attorney's Office.
Plea: Sanstrom pleaded no contest on July 20. He was represented by lawyer Jacques Ward from the regional counsel office.
Sentence: Sanstrom, 27, must serve 23.4 months in prison and 30 months of probation. The prison and probation time will run concurrently, according to the plea agreement. He has 323 days of credit for time served at the jail after arrest.
Special conditions: The Ocala man must register as a sexual offender.
Arrests: Two more arrests in operation 'Can't Touch This'
Judge: Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon.
About the case: Sanstrom was among those arrested in "Operation April Fools" in 2022. This was a sting where law enforcement officials targeted men who went online to solicit children for sex.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala courthouse: Prison terms for two men in 'Operation April Fools'
