By Staff Report
A Bonifay man has been arrested in Maine following an investigation into alleged online communication with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
According to a release from the Bonifay Police Department, officers were contacted on October 4, 2025, by members of the Colorado-based “Colorado Ped Patrol,” a private group known for conducting sting operations targeting suspected child predators. The group had reportedly traveled to Bonifay to confront Leonard Miragliuolo, who was accused of engaging in explicit online conversations with a person he thought was a minor.
Following a joint investigation, authorities obtained a felony warrant for Solicitation of a Minor. Investigators later determined that Miragliuolo had left Florida and was residing in Maine. On October 17, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Miragliuolo at his known address. He remains in custody in Maine pending extradition to Florida, where he will face prosecution.
The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between the Colorado Ped Patrol, Bonifay Police Department, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
Bonifay Police Chief Johnny Whitaker praised the collaboration between agencies, noting the department’s continued commitment to protecting children and ensuring that those who exploit them are held accountable.
Ali Moreland 