Ohio Man Arrested in Monroe County Sting, Accused of Child Solicitation

Deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33 year old Anthony Peter Rozzo of Avon, Ohio, after an undercover operation in Key West uncovered what investigators described as attempts to solicit a child. Authorities said Rozzo used a chat application to try to lure a girl to the Key West Holiday Parade on Duval Street, but was communicating with an FBI agent posing as a minor.

Investigators reported that Rozzo initially claimed he would not meet because of the girl’s age and "went as far as to provide another application where she could find kids her own age," but then asked whether she "if she wanted to go to Taco Bell or Sonic" and requested photos. After midnight, deputies say Rozzo messaged "lets hook up" and later "asked the child if (she) wanted to ‘go all the way’ with him and stated he would bring a condom," according to the arrest report. The report also states he asked her to "send him nude photographs so he would know she’s not the cops."

Detectives said Rozzo claimed to be 29 in the chats and sent "constant pictures" as instructed by investigators to reveal his location at the parade. Deputies observed him texting and sending photos at the event and took him into custody on Saturday night. The arrest report states Rozzo admitted to messaging who he thought was an underage girl and to sending messages detailing sexual acts he wished to perform. "Anthony admitted to trying to lure the child, but stated he wasn’t going to follow through with the meet," the report states.

Rozzo was booked on charges of child solicitation and unlawful use of a communications device, both felonies. He was not listed in Monroe County jail records as of Monday morning. The involvement of a federal agent underscores interagency cooperation in online enticement cases, and the arrest serves as a reminder that family events on Duval Street can attract predatory attention.

For Monroe County residents, the case underscores the need for vigilance at public gatherings and caution in online interactions involving minors. Law enforcement presence at large community events will likely remain heightened through the holiday season as deputies and federal partners continue to target attempts to exploit children.