A Miami-Dade man was arrested in a “vigilante-style” operation after he attempted to have sex with a teenager

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida — The Miami-Dade Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a 24-year-old man Wednesday who allegedly traveled to a residence to meet a 15-year-old boy for sex.

According to investigators, around 7:30 p.m., Miami-Dade police officers were dispatched to a home near the 7900 block of Southwest 52nd Court where a “vigilante” operation was being conducted to “catch child predators.”

During the investigation, detectives said they spoke with a person posing as a 15-year-old boy who was interacting with Moises A. Flores Coello through a “chat application.”

According to an arrest report, after a daylong conversation with Flores Coello, authorities said he asked the detective, posing as a 15-year-old boy, for an address so they could meet in person.

“When Mr. Flores Coello met the male, whom he believed to be a minor, he began cuddling, kissing and touching the individual,” the arresting officer wrote in the report.

Investigators said they found a Magnum condom and candy when they searched Flores Coello before taking him into custody.

Authorities said Flores Coello made a confession that was redacted from the report.

Jail records show he is charged with one count of illegal use of computer services or devices and traveling to meet a minor for unlawful purposes.

As of Thursday, Flores Coello was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond is pending.