An extensive joint-agency undercover investigation spanning over a week resulted in the arrest of eleven men suspected of traveling to meet individuals they believed to be minors for illicit sexual activity. The operation, conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with numerous other law enforcement agencies, took place from May 2nd through May 10th, 2025, and led to a total of 50 felony charges.
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, alongside personnel from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Auburndale Police, Davenport Police, Pinellas Park Police, Tampa Police, and St. Petersburg Police assigned to a Homeland Security Investigations task force, participated in the sting.
The investigation focused on individuals who communicated online with undercover detectives posing as children or guardians of children.
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Nine of the arrested suspects traveled to an undercover location in Polk County with the intent to sexually batter children. In addition to those who traveled, detectives apprehended one local suspect at his home and secured an arrest warrant for a registered sex offender from Tampa who allegedly committed crimes online; this suspect was subsequently taken into custody by the Tampa Police Department.
“It is extremely disturbing when we encounter nasty child predators like these who are very eager to have sex with children,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “This is why we conduct these types of undercover operations. Keeping children safe is our number one priority, and we appreciate our partnering agencies, without whom we would not be as successful in apprehending these dangerous offenders.”
The eleven suspects arrested face a range of felony charges, including traveling to meet a minor, use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony, use of a computer to seduce a child, attempted lewd or lascivious battery, human trafficking, and transmission of harmful material to a minor. One suspect also faces charges related to soliciting prostitution and attempted sexual contact by an HIV-infected person without informing a partner.
Details of the arrested suspects and their charges are as follows:
Nicholas Capehart, 46, of Riverview, FL, allegedly sent messages to an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl, expressing a desire for a “sex friend” and to “teach her sex.” He is charged with Traveling to meet a minor (F2), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3), Use of computer to seduce a child (F3), Attempted lewd/lascivious battery on a minor (F3), and Resisting arrest (M1).
Gregory Ludee Cooper, 59, of Wesley Chapel, FL, communicated with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old boy. His online profile indicated he was a “daddy looking for a younger boy.” He is charged with Attempted lewd/lascivious conduct by person over 18 (F2), Traveling to meet a minor (F2), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3), and Use of computer to seduce a child (F2).
Eric Corliss, 50, of Lakeland, FL, allegedly solicited both an undercover detective posing as a family member selling the sexual services of a 15-year-old and other detectives posing as prostitutes. He is charged with Use of a computer to solicit parent/guardian (F3), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3), and Solicit prostitute (M1) – 3 counts.
Vernen Cunningham, 26, of Orlando, FL, who is confirmed to be in the country illegally, allegedly messaged an undercover detective posing as a family member involved in human trafficking of a 15-year-old female. He is charged with Human trafficking (FL), Traveling to meet a minor (F1), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F2), and Use of computer to solicit parent/guardian (F2). ICE has been notified due to his immigration status.
Arthur Lee Dennard, 54, a registered sex offender from Tampa, FL, with a history of felony convictions and prison time, allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old girl. He was arrested by Tampa PD on a warrant and is charged with Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3) and Use of computer to seduce a child (F3).
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Shaun Russel Hamel, 37, of Winter Haven, FL, allegedly sent explicit messages and photos to an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl. He is charged with Transmission of material harmful to a minor (F3) – 8 counts, Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F3), and Use of computer to seduce a child (F3).
Joseph Lee Jones, Jr., 57, of Dover, FL, allegedly messaged an undercover detective posing as a family member involved in human trafficking of a 15-year-old female and brought cash and condoms to the meeting location. He is charged with Human trafficking (FL), Traveling to meet a minor (F1), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F2), and Use of computer to solicit parent/guardian (F2).
Matthew Klein, 43, of Lakeland, FL, allegedly communicated with two different undercover detectives posing as 14-year-old boys on dating apps, detailing desired sex acts. He also disclosed a past encounter with a minor and that he is HIV positive. He is charged with Traveling to meet a minor (F1), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F2) – 2 counts, Use of computer to solicit parent/guardian (F2) – 2 counts, Attempted lewd/lascivious conduct by person over 18 (F2), Misrepresenting age using computer to seduce a child (F2), and Attempted sexual contact by HIV infected person without informing partner (F3).
Aston William Mack, 35, of Deltona, FL, allegedly messaged an undercover detective posing as a family member involved in human trafficking of a 15-year-old female and expressed concern about a potential law enforcement operation. He is charged with Human trafficking (FL), Traveling to meet a minor (F1), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F2), Use of computer to solicit parent/guardian (F2), and Resisting arrest (M1).
V Jay Matos III, 38, of Lakeland, FL, allegedly messaged an undercover detective posing as a family member involved in human trafficking of a 15-year-old female and brought cash and condoms to the location. He is charged with Human trafficking (FL), Traveling to meet a minor (F1), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F2), and Use of computer to solicit parent/guardian (F2).
Domingo Fransisco Miguel, 40, of Lakeland, FL, allegedly messaged an undercover detective posing as a family member involved in human trafficking of a 15-year-old female, expressed suspicion of a setup, and brought cash and condoms. He is charged with Human trafficking (FL), Traveling to meet a minor (F1), Use of two-way communication device to commit a felony (F2), and Use of computer to solicit parent/guardian (F2).
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated that these types of operations are crucial in their ongoing efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation.
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