For Immediate Release
August 20, 2019
             
PERRY, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Coty Allen Hartsfield, 29, of Perry for online solicitation of a minor for sex acts and transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device. Taylor County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this case.
 
The investigation began after FDLE received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a person was transmitting child pornography through a social media account.   The investigation shows Hartsfield was communicating through social media with a teenage female with whom he was acquainted.  Through social media chats, Hartsfield repeatedly asked the teen to strip for him and urged her to send lewd photographs and videos.  
 
Hartsfield was arrested this morning and booked into the Taylor County Jail.   The Office of the State Attorney, 3rd Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case.
 
For tips on keeping your children safe online, visit the Secure Florida website at: http://secureflorida.org/staying_safe/best_practices_for_parents/.
 
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Jessica Cary or Jeremy Burns
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001