PALATKA, FL — A Palatka man who was the target of a private vigilante sting operation has been arrested on multiple felony child exploitation charges following a multi-week, independent forensic investigation by local police.
Caleb Steven Roberts was located and arrested on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Hillsborough County on an active warrant obtained by the Palatka Police Department. Roberts is currently being held on a $55,000 bond.
His formal charges include:
- Traveling to Meet a Minor
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device
- Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor by Electronic Device
- Soliciting a Child (or a Person Believed to Be a Child) for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Using a Computer Service or Electronic Device
Roberts was a youth pastor at Victory Church in East Palatka.
Police Clarify Role of Vigilante Group ‘Operation 17:2’
The arrest follows substantial public inquiry regarding why Roberts was not taken into custody immediately when confronted by an outside group. Palatka Police Department officials released a statement clarifying that a private entity known as “Operation 17:2” initiated the encounter, operating completely outside the direction, supervision, or partnership of law enforcement…