CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A social media influencer known for posting “predator catcher” videos has been arrested in Clay County on an extortion charge, as investigators warn that vigilante-style confrontations online may undermine efforts to prosecute crimes against children.
Jay Carnicom, who has tens of thousands of followers across social media platforms and describes himself as someone who “catches and exposes adults trying to prey on children,” was taken into custody last week, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
An arrest warrant alleges Carnicom attempted to compel a person to eat used cigarette butts while recording the encounter, threatening to involve law enforcement if the person did not comply.
Chief of Investigations Domenic Paniccia said the case remains active but emphasized the need to educate the public about the risks of these types of confrontations.
“If I was a citizen of Clay County and I heard that we made an arrest on somebody who’s protecting kids, I’d be upset as well,” Paniccia said. “But you can’t beat people, you can’t extort them, you can’t make them do things or else.”
Videos like Carnicom’s are widely shared online, often showing suspected predators being confronted, humiliated or even assaulted sometimes behind paywalls for subscribers.
Paniccia said while the content can generate outrage and attention, it can also jeopardize criminal cases.
“The proper way to do anything is really to just call us, let us do what we get paid to do,” he said. “You might think you’re helping us, but you’re hindering the case.”
The sheriff’s office has specialized units dedicated to investigating internet crimes against children, with detectives working those cases full time. Officials say building a prosecutable case requires following strict legal procedures from the start.
“When it’s done the right way, let’s say they don’t get lengthy prison time, at least they’re listed [online] you know maybe as a sexual predator or sexual offender. When it’s done the other way, they’re not. No one really knows,” Paniccia said.
Despite concerns about vigilante tactics, the sheriff’s office said it still reviews and investigates tips tied to such videos. Investigators also question the motivations behind some of these viral videos.
“I truly believe that in most of these cases, it’s done for monetary gain, for views, clicks and subscribers,” Paniccia said. “If it’s not done properly, it’s hurting us. It’s hurdles that we don’t need to cross. We would love to take these cases from the beginning and do a proper investigation.”
In a statement, a Clay County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said adults posing as children online do not meet a criminal threshold and cannot be used by law enforcement as probable cause for an arrest when conducted by private citizens.
“All child exploitation investigations must be carried out by certified law enforcement officers; we investigate suspects thoroughly and make sure it’s done the correct, legal way,” the spokesperson said.
The agency also pointed to its broader efforts, noting that as a founding member of the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, it has investigated more than 1,600 cases since 2023, the majority involving child exploitation and child sexual abuse material.
“Keeping our community safe and protecting our children has always been our top priority,” the statement said. “We are not in this for clicks, likes and views. We are here to hold offenders accountable and put suspects in jail.”
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says it has also investigated hundreds of cyber tips and made multiple arrests this year related to crimes against children.
Officials are urging the public to report suspicious activity directly to law enforcement rather than attempting to intervene.