Florida authorities have arrested 16 men following a four-day undercover operation aimed at removing child pedophiles from Central Florida’s streets. Attorney General James Uthmeier disclosed the results of the sting this week, saying that the sweep is now regarded as the most successful Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation in Osceola County history.
The operation, which lasted from March 18 to March 21, was a major team effort. The Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded the charge, collaborating with Homeland Security Investigations and police departments from Orlando, St. Cloud, and Lake City.
Undercover officers impersonated children aged 13, 14, and 15 on escort websites and chatrooms. According to authorities, all 16 offenders had explicit chats and made solid preparations to meet for sexual activities despite being aware they were dealing with kids.
When the guys arrived at the predetermined meeting spots, expecting to see children, they were met by police.
The list of persons detained includes people from all areas of life, some of whom had positions that allowed them regular access to minors. The group included Michael Cornell, a Volusia County school bus driver, and Sroas Tes, a Disney employee.
Police identified numerous particular examples from the sting. Sheldon Lee allegedly left four young children alone in a hotel room to go to a strip club before meeting the person he thought was a juvenile victim. Another suspect, Naman Kanthwal, an Indian green card holder, was arrested after reportedly attempting to meet and assault a 14-year-old girl.
“This operation is a perfect example of why proactive law enforcement is so important—multiple children were saved from harm as a result,” Attorney General James Uthmeier said. “Each one of these predators was ready and willing to engage in sexual abuse of children, but they were met with undercover officers and handcuffs instead. Thanks to our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, dangerous predators are off the streets, and our kids are safer because of it.”
Following the arrests, Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon issued a strong warning. “If you target kids, you are not safe,” Blackmon stated. “We will find you, arrest you, and ensure that you face the full weight of justice. “You will be hunted, not the hunter.”
The males face a variety of charges, including traveling to meet a kid, unauthorized use of a two-way communication device, and lewd and lascivious battery.
Individuals charged include Luis Colon-Serrano, James Macrae, Sroas Tes, Steven Zamora, Gary Robinson, Naman Kanthwal, Jason Nguyen, Sheldon Lee, Michael Cornell, Brian Ford Jr., Wesley Young, Lance Roberts, Joseph Grausso, Jason Snow, Ivan Gonzalez De Jesus, and Nicolas Velasquez.
The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the cases. If convicted on all counts, the defendants may face a total of 400 years in state prison.