SARASOTA COUNTY, FL (WWSB) - The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office have arrested 21 men during what they called "Operation Intercept V".
The operation is to protect children from online predators. All of these men traveled with intent to have sex with an underage boy or girl, according to the Sheriff's Office. The suspects ranging in age from 22-58.
Deputies say the suspects responded to internet-based ads, online apps and social media sites.
“You would think the frequency of Internet predator operations here in Sarasota County and surrounding jurisdictions would reduce the number of criminals prowling online for the sole purpose of sexually exploiting children,” said Sheriff Tom Knight.
The following suspects were arrested in this six-day operation and charged with:
- Juan Diaz, 25, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Kevin Mills, 34, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and two counts of Violation of Probation stemming from charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
- Daniel Quinton, 27, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Juan Mejia-Rodriguez, 37, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts and Transmission of Harmful Materials to Minors. Mejia-Rodriguez is originally from Columbia. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified of his arrest and he was picked up Saturday. Today he remains in ICE custody.
- Jason Demare, 38, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. Demare has prior arrests for Battery, Forgery, Violation of Probation, and drug possession.
- Andrew West, 88, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Paul Chapman, 44, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Christhian Contreras-Suarez, 25, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Ubaldo Bautista, 42, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. Bautista is originally from Mexico City. He has prior arrests for Battery, Obstruction, Driving While License Suspended, DUI, Shoplifting, Giving a False Name, Failure to Appear and Violation of Probation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified of his arrest however, he was released from custody May 22 on $1,000 bond.
- Miguel Angel Jimenez, 21, Hialeah Gardens, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Douglas Forsythe, 58, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Cody Murphy, 23, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Emmanuel Alexander Figueroa-Hernandez,29, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- John Dienst, 48, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Albert Vira III, 24, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Justin Schwanger, 34, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. Schwanger has prior arrests for Burglary, Theft, Forgery, and Receiving Stolen Property.
- Charles Cataline, 39, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts and Transmission of Harmful Materials to Minors.
- Brendan Goodman, 24, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
- Caleb Dawson, 34, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and three counts of Violation of Probation for Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition. Dawson has prior arrests for Battery, Indecent Exposure, Grand Theft, Obstruction, Fraud, Narcotics Possession and more.
- Brent McConville, 24, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act.
- Lawrence Ballard, 37, is charged with Use of Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
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