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A former volunteer youth group pastor has been arrested after a viral video surfaced showing a confrontation with a vigilante group that claims he attempted to arrange a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl. Former Palatka Volunteer Youth Group Pastor Arrested for Soliciting Child for Sexual Activity.
Caleb Roberts, 26, was taken into custody Wednesday following an operation conducted by a self-described predator watchdog group called Operation 17:2. Roberts was released Thursday on a $55,000 bond.
Operation 17:2 says Roberts made contact with one of their decoys on March 30, believing he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl. The group recorded the entire encounter and posted it across multiple social media platforms, where it quickly racked up thousands of views.
In the video, Roberts can be heard saying, "I want to go have sex with," before pausing and completing the statement — "with a 14-year-old girl."
According to the group, text messages allegedly exchanged between Roberts and a decoy included messages such as "I like younger girl," "A hookup is more passionate and rough," and "What comes to mind when you think about sex?"
'We Want To Expose These People To The Community'
Operation 17:2 spokesperson Gross said the group's mission goes beyond any single arrest.
"We want to expose these people to the community," Gross said. "People don't know how prevalent it is in their community and what's actually going on."
Gross also issued a direct call to parents. "We hope that parents are more responsible, because what I've seen is people are uncomfortable talking about it, so they kind of just ignore it. Parents need to have more accountability, more responsibility with monitoring their kids' devices."
Roberts was not arrested until Wednesday — nearly three months after the March 30 sting — a timeline that has drawn sharp criticism from Gross and raised questions among the public.
Defense attorney Chris Carson, who is not connected to this case, explained that law enforcement must independently verify and reconstruct evidence gathered by civilian groups before moving forward.
"Because they are just people off the street and they're not investigators, they're not trained in investigative methods, in ways to obtain and preserve evidence," Carson said. "The police kind of almost have to go back and reconstruct some of this in the way that they operate, that follows their methods."
Gross, however, remains unconvinced the delay was acceptable.
"What if Caleb was actually acting on his desires between the three months that he's been out?" Gross said.
Roberts now faces four charges stemming from the investigation: traveling to meet a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, transmission of harmful material to minors by electronic device, and soliciting a child or person believed to be a child for unlawful sexual activity using a computer or device.
His connection to youth ministry has added another layer of concern to the case. Prior to his arrest, Roberts served as a volunteer pastor working with young people — a role that community members say makes the allegations all the more alarming.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The factual information above was sourced from actionnewsjax.com as of June 30, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
As cases of sexual abuse committed by volunteer youth leaders shake communities across Florida, many families are left with more questions than answers once the criminal process begins. What civil options exist? Can an organization be held responsible? Is it too late to take action? To help families understand where they stand, we sat down with Miami-based sexual abuse attorney Michael Haggard — a lawyer who has spent years representing survivors of institutional and individual sexual abuse — to walk through the legal paths available to victims and their families.
Editor Darla Medina: When a child is sexually abused by someone in a volunteer youth leadership role, what are the first legal steps a family should take?
Attorney Michael Haggard: The first thing a family should do is contact law enforcement if they haven't already, and then speak with an attorney who handles sexual abuse cases specifically. Time matters in these situations, not just because of statutes of limitations, but because evidence can disappear quickly. An experienced attorney can help preserve records, communications, and any documentation that may support both a criminal and civil case.
Medina: Many people don't realize there's a civil case separate from the criminal one. Can you explain that distinction?
Haggard: Absolutely. The criminal case is handled by the state — prosecutors decide whether to charge someone, and the standard is guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A civil case is brought by the victim and their family, and the standard of proof is much lower. In a civil case, we're looking at financial accountability — compensation for the trauma, therapy costs, long-term psychological harm, and in some cases, punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer.
Medina: Can organizations — like a church or youth group — also be held liable, even if the abuser was a volunteer?
Haggard: Yes, and this is something families often don't consider. If an organization failed to properly screen, supervise, or respond to warning signs about a volunteer, they can absolutely be held accountable. Negligent supervision and negligent retention are serious legal claims. Organizations that work with children have a duty to protect them, and when they fall short of that duty, the law provides a path for victims to hold them responsible.
Medina: What would you say to a family that is hesitant to come forward?
Haggard: I understand the hesitation. These situations are painful, and many families worry about reliving the trauma through a legal process. But coming forward can be one of the most powerful things a survivor does — not just for themselves, but to prevent the same thing from happening to another child. Most sexual abuse attorneys, including our firm, offer free consultations and handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning families pay nothing unless we win. There is help available, and no family should feel they have to face this alone.
If you or someone you love has been sexually abused by a youth group volunteer or any person in a position of trust, the time to act is now. Evidence fades, deadlines exist, and every day without legal guidance is a day without protection. The Legal Herald is here to help connect victims and their families with an experienced sexual abuse attorney who will listen, advise, and fight for the accountability you deserve — at no cost and with no obligation. Contact us today to request your free consultation and take the first step toward getting the answers your family needs.
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