The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has arrested David Binz, featured in a viral vigilante video.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday the arrest of a suspect featured in a viral video shared by an online vigilante group. This video gained more than 250,000 views on social media within a single day.
The individual shown in the video is David Binz, a registered sex offender. According to the Florida Sex Offender Registry, he has previous convictions in three separate cases: attempting to solicit a child online for sex in 2006, engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor aged 16 or 17 in 2011, and possessing a photograph depicting a child’s sexual performance in 2009. Each of these offenses took place in different counties.
In the video, the group alleged that the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was permitting a suspect to remain free after child pornography was purportedly discovered on his phone.
On Monday evening, JSO issued a statement warning that vigilante investigations pose risks. They noted that such activities can jeopardize evidence and endanger victims or bystanders. The agency also clarified that false information had circulated on social media, including claims that officers did not confiscate the suspect’s phone. Investigators confirmed they had taken the device.
JSO said Binz had been arrested less than three hours before the release, which was posted around 9:30 p.m.
Binz is currently facing eight felony charges related to breaches of sex offender regulations. JSO stated that investigators will assess whether further charges should be filed. He remains detained without the possibility of bail.
