For Immediate Release
June 9, 2022
 
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – FDLE agents arrested Stuart W. Heltne, 56, of Daytona Beach, for traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, solicitation of a minor and transmitting harmful material to a minor.  Daytona Beach Police Department assisted in the investigation.
 
FDLE began its case earlier this week.  The investigation shows that Heltne identified the girl, an 11-year-old, after she was featured on a social media page.  Through social media, he began sending inappropriate messages to who he believed was the child, but was instead the child’s mother. The mother reported the emails to law enforcement.   
 
An undercover agent, posing as the girl, began communicating with Heltne, who sent lewd photos of himself and arranged to meet the “child” for pizza and sex.  Agents arrested Heltne in Daytona Beach yesterday as he arrived to meet the 11-year-old.  He was carrying with him a backpack containing child pornography and sex toys.
 
He was booked into the Volusia County Jail.  This case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. 
 
Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at: https://www.secureflorida.org/SF/Family-Safety/BPParents.
 
For Further Information Contact: 
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001