Six individuals, including foreign nationals, have been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of children following a joint undercover operation in Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday.
The operation targeted predators sexually exploiting children online, with undercover law enforcement officers posing as 14-year-old girls on an online escort website. All six defendants were arrested after traveling to an agreed-upon meeting spot for sexual activity, despite allegedly being informed they were communicating with a minor.
Attorney General James Uthmeier strongly condemned the actions, stating, “These predators believed that they could hide behind a screen to exploit our children—they were wrong. Several of these defendants are now on ICE detainers and will face prison before deportation. We will never stop protecting kids in Florida; those who target them will be caught and punished.”
The arrested individuals and their charges are:
- Isaias Chaman Coy, 40 (Guatemala): Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child.
- David Desormeaux, 39 (Canada): Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child; Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony.
- Miguel Angel, 34: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child.
- Antonio Frederico Perez Rojas, 22 (Guatemala): Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child; Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony.
- Mohamed Kamal Mesregah, 38 (Egypt): Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child; Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony.
- Jeremiah Jamel Gillyard, 34: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child; Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child; Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony.
READ: Illegal Immigrant Arrested For Stealing Texas Child’s Identity, Costing Him Medicaid Benefits
State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida issued a stern warning: “These men will soon come to realize that they traveled to the wrong county in the wrong circuit.”
The massive undertaking involved a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Stuart Police Department, the U.S. Department of State, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek underscored the value of cooperation: “This operation is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners come together with one shared mission—to protect our children. These arrests should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can prey on children in our communities. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable.”
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass reiterated the commitment to protecting children: “Make no mistake, those who target or harm our children have no place in our communities. We will find them and bring them to justice.”
The cases will be prosecuted jointly by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the State Attorney’s Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
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