Clay County Sheriff's Office makes child sex arrest

Department of Homeland Security assists in investigation

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – A man has been indicted in a child sex case investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Clay County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Homeland Security.

Erold Martin Panopio was arrested in November in Clay County and is being held in a federal holding facility in Baker County, deputies announced Friday.

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According to the Sheriff's Office, the arrest came during an investigation that included sex offenses on two minor children.

The Sheriff's Office said Panopio traveled to meet with additional children for illegal activities.

"Fortunately for our community, he was taken into custody when those youth he thought he was meeting was actually Clay County detectives and special agents with Department of Homeland Security," said Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Chris Padgett.

A Naval Air Station Jacksonville spokesperson told News4Jax that Panopio is an aviation structural mechanic airman recruit with a reserve squadron, but he is full-time support and has been there about a year. 


About the Authors:

Zachery “Zach” Lashway anchors KPRC 2+ Now. He began at KPRC 2 as a reporter in October 2021.