SCSO Warns of Child Predators on Apps & Op Intercept VI (Multi-Video)

By
Tammy Waitt
-
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, a 2019 'ASTORS' Homeland Security Awards Program Nominee, arrested 25 people ages 19-65, that traveled with the intent of having sex with a male or female child. Operation Intercept VI is a 4-day initiative to protect Sarasota County children from online predators & human trafficking. (Courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office)
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, a 2019 'ASTORS' Homeland Security Awards Program Nominee, arrested 25 people ages 19-65, that traveled with the intent of having sex with a male or female child. Operation Intercept VI is a 4-day initiative to protect Sarasota County children from online predators & human trafficking. (Courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office)

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), arrested 25 people during Operation Intercept VI, a four-day initiative focused on protecting Sarasota County children from online predators and human trafficking.

Suspects ranging in age from 19-65 responded to Internet-based ads, online apps and social media sites to engage in sexually explicit written and verbal conversations.

One of the suspects rode a three-wheel bicycle to the home while in possession of cocaine and another brought with him two firearms and several narcotics.

One man attempted to lure the child into his vehicle while several sent explicit photos and brought condoms with them.

Ultimately all 25 arrestees traveled with the intent of having sex with a male or female child.

(You may have heard your children talking about Snapchat, Kik, Whisper, or even an app called Calculator%. But Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight says you should be keeping a close eye on them. They might be hiding a secret online world of abuse, nudity, or worse. Sheriff Knight his agency arrested 21 men who thought they were chatting online in 2018, through one of these apps, with a young boy or girl. Courtesy of FOX 13 News – Tampa Bay and YouTube. Posted on May 30, 2018.)

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight

“Unfortunately, the internet allows for easy and anonymous access to children by strangers who are hiding behind a computer screen,” explained Sheriff Tom Knight.

“That is why these operations are paramount to ensuring our most vulnerable population is safe and protected.” 

“The men arrested during this operation managed to blend into society and attempted to prey on children by developing a trust through promises to exploit them for sexual purposes.”

“So long as men like these prey upon our community, I will ensure our ongoing commitment to putting them behind bars.”

The following suspects were arrested over the course of the operation with the following charges:

  • Steven Aldacosta, DOB 08/04/79, of Sarasota, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
  • Richard Antico, DOB 01/05/87, of 5922 Las Colinas Circle, Lake Worth, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as a food deliveryman.
  • Jose Ayala-Gil, DOB 12/01/96, of 3200 Village Lane, Sarasota, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as a detailer at a Sarasota carwash. Ayala-Gil is a foreign born resident with an alien registration and prior criminal history.
  • Georgios Bakomihalis, DOB 02/07/92, of 16430 Treasure Point Drive, Wimauma, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as an Uber driver.
  • Nicholas Bonito, DOB 07/17/00, of 6904 Manatee Avenue W #62A, Bradenton, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
  • Arthur Byrne, DOB 08/28/90, of 4026 Royal Palm Avenue, Sarasota, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and Possession of a MDMA.
  • Azis Casanas-Ramos, DOB 12/09/99, of 3743 Woodmont Drive, Sarasota, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.

  • Joseph Cate, DOB 01/26/86, of 1262 Prospect Street, Bradenton, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as a mechanic.
  • Maxwell Crain-Perrault, DOB 06/04/00, of 819 Whooping Crane Court, Bradenton, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
  • Andrew Crose, DOB 09/21/92, of 540 La Gorce Drive, Venice, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and Violation of Probation. He reports he works for a lawn care company.
  • Travis Deel, DOB 10/22/79, of 948A Edwards Avenue, Jacksonville, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts and Transmission of Harmful Material. At the time of his arrest, Deel was enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a chief petty officer, scheduled to deploy the following day.
  • Michael Doran, DOB 01/05/91, of 413 Dodge Avenue, Sarasota, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Transmission of Harmful Materials, Possession of Cocaine, and Violation of Probation. Doran rode his bicycle to the home while in possession of cocaine. He reports he is employed as a cook in Sarasota.
  • Jarred Durant, DOB 05/03/94, of 11230 Fiddlewood Drive, Riverview, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and two counts of Possession of a Concealed Firearm. When Durant arrived to the home, he was in possession of two guns and various narcotics.
  • Constantin Fota, DOB 05/16/92, of 2907 48th Street SW, Lehigh Acres, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
  • Christopher Hamilton, DOB 04/26/65, of 3372 Sheffield Circle, Sarasota, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Prostitution, and Commit to Offer Prostitution with Transmission of HIV. He reports he is employed at a car dealership in Sarasota.
  • Richard LaGace Sr., DOB 01/09/54, of 1647 White Breeze, Bradenton, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and Transmission of Harmful Material.
  • Omar Lazo, DOB 08/26/96, of 1517 E. Knollwood Street, Tampa, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as an electrician.
  • Pedro Lopez-Garcia, DOB 08/12/87, of 613 11th St West, Palmetto, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and three counts of Transmission of Harmful Materials. He is an illegal immigrant and reports he works as a handyman and roofer. Upon Lopez-Garcia’s arrest, deputies notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) however, he was later released on bond.
(Courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office)
(Courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)
  • Marcos Manuel-Juan, DOB 05/11/96, of 510 60th Avenue Terrace West, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He is an illegal immigrant who reports he is employed as a fiberglass repairman. Manuel-Juan is currently in the custody of ICE.
  • Michael McBee, DOB 06/03/85, of 6531 Field Sparrow Glen, Bradenton, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as a retail store manager in Ellenton. When McBee arrived to the home, he attempted to lure the child into his vehicle.
  • Douglas Mutschler, DOB 04/28/81, of 1020 Capri Isles Blvd #63, Venice, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and Violation of Probation stemming from charges in 2017 in Seminole County for Traveling to Meet a Minor and Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors.
  • Austin Patterson, DOB 08/01/95, of 4227 52nd Place W Apt #202, Bradenton, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed as a cook in Bradenton.
  • – Joshua Rector, DOB 04/03/95, of 12297 Cognac Drive, Punta Gorda, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts.
  • – Geovany Rodriguez, DOB 06/11/92, of 505 13th Street W #13A, Palmetto, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act and Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts. He reports he is employed at a pawnshop in Bradenton.
  • – Juan Vazquez, DOB 03/06/00, of 1601 Florida Development Road, Davenport, is charged with Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit a Sex Act, Traveling to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, and Transmission of Harmful Material.

The sheriff’s office regularly conducts initiatives to curb child sexual exploitation and trafficking, and in May of 2018, Sheriff Knight announced the results of Operation Intercept V, in which 21 men were arrested for similar crimes.

During his news conference, Knight released a graphic titled, “Nine Apps Parents Should Know About,” which identified nine mobile applications frequently downloaded by children that can be utilized by predators for purposes of exploitation.

(Detectives arrested 25 people during #OperationInterceptVI, a 4-day initiative focused on protecting Sarasota County children from online predators and human trafficking. Here is a short compilation of surveillance video from the 25 men who traveled to Sarasota County to have sex with who they believed were children. From an Uber driver to a naval officer and a salesman to a handyman, their jobs run the gamut. What they all have in common though is access to the public and access to children. That is why we took them off the street. Watch this video and remember to have that tough conversation with your son or daughter tonight. One day they will thank you. Courtesy of the SarasotaSheriff and YouTube. Posted on Jul 26, 2019.)

On Friday, Knight added six apps to the list including MeetMe, Grindr, SKOUT, WhatsApp, TikTok and badoo.

The graphic was re-released and aptly titled “15 Apps Parents Should Know About.”

15 Apps Parents Should Know About (Courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office)
(Courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

Operation Intercept VI was conducted in partnership with and with support from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department.

Several of those arrested are still under continued investigation for other related and non-related crimes.

Suspects ranging in age from 19-65 responded to Internet-based ads, online apps and social media sites to engage in sexually explicit written and verbal conversations.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Nominated in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government agencies, first responders, and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

William "Bill" Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Boston Police Department (BPD) and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), will speak at the 2019 'ASTORS' Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East 2019, on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Courtesy of Teneo Risk)
Bill Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Boston Police Department (BPD) and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), will speak at the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East 2019, on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Courtesy of Teneo Risk)

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2018 Government Excellence Award Winners in the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

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(Learn About the DARPA Subterranean Challenge working with multidisciplinary teams from around the world to compete in the development of the autonomy, perception, networking, and mobility technologies necessary to map explore and search underground networks in unpredictable conditions. Courtesy of DARPAtv and YouTube.)

(The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is a gps communications tool that runs on a mobile device. It improves situational awareness by allowing users to know where their mission partners are located, regardless of affiliation, improves communications through a variety of applications and was successfully used in 2017 Hurricane operations in Houston and Puerto Rico. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

(DHS S&T’s Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) virtual training platform provides a safe, immersive environment where first responders, and now educators, can hone their skills and prepare for a multitude of incident responses. Built on the same video gaming platforms as popular titles like Fortnite, EDGE was intentionally designed to be easily accessed, easily used, and easily integrated into agencies’ existing training protocols. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

(Learn About the FBI VCAC Program, and hear from Special Agent Danielle Messineo, who works in the Crimes Against Children division, trying to prevent future victims by giving presentations to schoolchildren. Courtesy of USA Network and YouTube.)

(Learn About the Joint Interagency Task Force South on Key West, Florida, a multi-agency, international alliance whose mission is to cover 42 million square miles of territory primarily in Central and South America to stem the flow of illegal drugs and to disrupt and dismantle sophisticated narco-trafficking networks. Much of that work is carried out on the high seas. Courtesy of Doug Brumbaugh and YouTube.)

(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operates the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU) within the National Security Investigations Division (NSID). Preceded by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, HSI has more than 30 years of experience in successfully investigating human rights violators. The unit conducts investigations focused on human rights violations in an effort to prevent the United States from becoming a safe haven to those individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. When foreign war crimes suspects, persecutors and human rights abusers are identified within U.S. borders, the unit utilizes its powers and authorities to the fullest extent of the law to investigate, prosecute and, whenever possible, remove any such offenders from the United States. Courtesy of ICE and YouTube.)

Individuals Recognized for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program are as follows:

  • Edward Reinhold, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI (Ret)

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(Many parents think they’re on top of it, but more dangers are lurking in innocent apps, and even video games than you may realize. Courtesy of ABC15 Arizona and YouTube. Posted on Jun 14, 2019.)

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