News


FDLE arrests former correctional officer for soliciting child for sex

 
For Immediate Release
December 9, 2024
 
CRESTVIEW, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested James Coffman, 26, of Crestview, for soliciting a child for sex online and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Coffman was working as a Corrections Lieutenant in Defuniak at the time of his arrest. The arrest is the result of FDLE’s statewide Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) initiative with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to prevent and combat child sex crimes.
 
FDLE agents participated in an undercover internet chat operation hosted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) during the month of November. Between Nov. 15-17, an online user requested to meet the 14-year-old daughter of an undercover FDLE agent posing as a dad, for sex. The investigation identified the user to be Coffman.
 
On Dec. 5 agents interviewed Coffman and seized his electronic devices for forensic analysis. He was arrested later that day.
 
Coffman was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit.
 
The case is being investigated by the FDLE Pensacola cybercrime unit. The investigation remains active.
 
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
Info@fdle.state.fl.us
 
 

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.