OPERATION CYBER STING NETS 15 ARRESTS
Here’s a warning to those who are eager to travel to Volusia County hoping to sexually exploit children: you will wind up in jail just like the 15 men who were arrested during Operation Cyber Sting. Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson announced Tuesday that the seven-day operation, August 29 through September 4, was a successful effort to protect children by getting those who might prey on them off the streets.
The operation was conducted with the support of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and in conjunction with representatives from the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Sheriff’s Offices from St. Johns County, Alachua County, Marion County, Lake County and Citrus County; and the New Smyrna Beach, Gainesville and Tallahassee Police Departments.
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Offenders lurking in e-commerce sites and social networks who made overt declarations to undercover investigators of their intentions to exploit some of our county’s most vulnerable citizens were targets for arrest. As the suspects arrived at a secure location to have sexual contact with what they believed to be children between the ages of 9 and 15, Sheriff's deputies quickly stepped in and made the arrests.
None of the men, who ranged in age from 21 to 66 years old, were registered sex offenders. One of the defendants was from Deltona, and many others were from Florida cities such as Leesburg, Miami, Orlando, St. Augustine and Ocala. Three men were from other states – New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona – but were already in Florida for various reasons when they contacted the undercover investigators.
The defendants had a wide range of occupations, including a Volusia County high school paraprofessional and a truck driver who drove the company semi-truck cab from Tampa to a Volusia meeting location. There was also a 59-year-old retired Connecticut police officer and a 21-year-old active duty Air Force service member. All of the defendants are facing multiple violations of Florida’s Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act.
In addition to the 15 arrests, there were 14 other active investigations initiated as a result of contacts made during the operation.
The defendants and their charges are:
● Michael Robert Brown; 31; Dade City, Florida; unemployed
1. Traveling to entice a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
2. Use of computer to solicit a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
4. Possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
5. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
● Emanuel Vazquez; 24; Kissimmee, Florida; hotel desk clerk
1. Traveling to entice a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
2. Use of computer to solicit a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
● James F. Rees; 50; Palm Coast, Florida; unemployed
1. Traveling to entice a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
2. Use of computer to solicit a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
4. Failure to appear warrant (worthless checks).
● Michael D. Billings; 42; Leesburg, Florida; Realto Movie Theater, Leesburg
1. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
2. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
3. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
● Anthony F Fenech; 25; Orlando, Florida; Orange Park Resort Orlando
1. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
2. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
3. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
● Edward L. Kalinowski; 59; Ocala, Florida; Retired 'First Selectman' for Portland Connecticut and a former Portland Police Officer.
1. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
2. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
● James E. Carpenter; 39; St. Augustine, Florida; U.S Army Reserve
1. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
2. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
● Aurelio Osle; 50; Miami, Florida; D.O.D. Software Writer, Orlando
1. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
2. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
● Dennis Blyth; 63; Deltona, Florida; Paraprofessional, University High School, Orange City
1. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
2. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
3. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
● John N. Baran; 66; Mims, Florida; Retired
1. Traveling to entice a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
2. Use of computer to solicit a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
● Kyle W. Lightner; 21; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; Airman
1. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
2. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
3. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
● Michael Ingersoll; 27; Arvada, Colorado; Spartacus Transport LLC truck driver
1. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
2. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
● Charles R. Kremer; 24; Gilbert, Arizona; Costco Salesman
1. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
2. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
● David E. Colon-Arraya; 22; Apopka, Florida; Century Link
1. Traveling to meet or lure a child for sex.
2. Use of computer to seduce or solicit a child.
● Michael S. Llorca; 44; Longwood, Florida; self employed 1. Traveling to entice a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
2. Use of computer to solicit a parent or guardian to consent with sex with a child.
3. Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
