Florida Attorney General crushes online predator: Louisiana man faces multiple felonies for soliciting children
Florida – A Louisiana man accused of targeting children online is now awaiting extradition to Florida after authorities say an undercover investigation exposed a series of sexually harmful communications with people he believed were minors.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Eddie Filce, 66, of Louisiana, has been charged with one count of use of a computer to solicit certain illegal acts, two counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition, five counts of transmission of harmful materials to minors and five counts of harmful communications with minors.
The case began on April 10, 2026, when an agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was working undercover on the Paltalk chatroom platform. According to authorities, the agent posed as a 13-year-old girl and connected with Filce during the online operation.
Investigators said Filce continued the conversation despite believing he was speaking with a minor. During video chats, authorities allege, he exposed himself, performed sexually harmful acts and attempted to solicit child sexual abuse materials. Officials also said he later engaged in a similar conversation with another undercover agent whom he believed to be a 12-year-old boy.
“Anyone who believes state lines will stop us from bringing you to face justice should think again,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier.
“Thanks to outstanding interagency collaboration between my Office of Statewide Prosecution, FDLE, and the Louisiana State Police, this defendant was quickly identified and arrested. We will continue working aggressively to stop predators in their tracks.”
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After investigators obtained an arrest warrant, Filce was taken into custody on May 5, 2026, by the Louisiana State Police. He was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail on an $85,000 bond and remains there while awaiting extradition to Florida.
Authorities said the investigation remains active, and additional charges may still be filed as prosecutors continue reviewing the case.
The prosecution will be handled by Special Counsel Rita Peters in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. The case also highlights the continued role of multi-agency operations involving the Florida Attorney General’s Office, FDLE and out-of-state law enforcement partners in pursuing suspects accused of using online platforms to exploit children.
