Ronald Franklin Gill of Lehigh

A 10-month undercover operation conducted by the Innocent Images Task Force has concluded today with the arrest of nine men from Lee County.

Eight of the accused are facing state charges and one a federal indictment. The task force is comprised of special agents and detectives with the FBI, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department and Clewiston Police Department.

Sheriff’s Mike Scott made the announcement at a 3 p.m. press conference.

Hundreds of files containing images or videos of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct were identified and traced to the IP addresses of those arrested today, authorities said.

Investigators obtained the corresponding home or business addresses related to the users and executed search warrants at those locations.

Sheriff's Office photos of nine charged in undercover probe.

Computers and digital media were seized and submitted for forensic examination.

In each case, evidence confirmed the suspects were in possession of the illegal pornography, authorities said. The following have been charged for possession with the intent to promote a photo, motion picture or representation of sexual conduct by a child, (s. 827.071(4) F.S.) – sexual performance by a child.

* Ronald Franklin Gill, 39, of 443 Poplar Street, Lehigh Acres

* Ernest John Sandoe, 83 of 8281 Shorecrest Drive, Fort Myers

* William Thomas, e 65, of 8861Brittania Drive, Fort Myers

* Mark Alan Straulin II, 20 of 383 Rosemont Drive, Fort Myers

* William Grandon Whitcomb, age 68, of 2016 Bayside Parkway, Fort Myers

* Donald Lee Payton, 57, of 16970 Pelican Way, North Fort Myers

* Jason R. Russo, 28, of 6308 Panther Lane #C2, Fort Myers

Additionally, a Cape Coral man has been charged in connection with communications he had with a teenaged minor via the Internet and cellular phone.

The investigation confirmed he sent a nude photograph of himself to the child. He is charged with obscene communication – use of a computer to solicit or lure a child, (s. 847.0135(3a) F.S.) He is identified as:

* Justin William Holesapple, 24, of 1085 Myakka Drive, North Fort Myers

The ninth person was taken into custody Monday, October 3, 2011. He was 63-year- old Rene Gerald Labonte of 2211 N.E. 15th Lane, Cape Coral, who is being held on federal charges as a result of the undercover operation. He is a registered sex offender in Lee County, officials said.