A week-long undercover sting operation in Marion County targeting child sex predators has resulted in the arrests of more than 50 individuals.
On Thursday, June 11, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced the conclusion of “Operation Bad Habits.” During this operation, detectives posed online as children ranging in age from 7 to 15 years old, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office stated that the dozens of suspects in this case solicited the undercover detectives and arranged to meet with the “children” for sex.
The sweeping operation yielded suspects from a wide variety of backgrounds. The sheriff’s office noted that the arrested individuals included fathers, coaches, teachers, a high school student, and both legal and illegal immigrants.
In addition to other charges, several of the suspects are also facing human trafficking charges for attempting to “purchase” the children for sex.
According to MCSO, the following suspects were reportedly seeking sexual activity with a boy:
- Wyatt Dylan Bernstein, 27, of Summerfield – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. According to MCSO, Bernstein was a youth football coach with the Southwest Marion Bears.
- Kingston Jamal Dovie McAllister, 16, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting an adult for sexual activity with a minor (two counts) and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Brian David McVicker, 65, of Dunnellon – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Eric James Morin, 34, of Inverness – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Jose Luis Ortiz Garcia, 55, of Ocala – Charges include human trafficking, soliciting a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Jordan Ashby Richmond, 47, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a parent for sexual activity with a minor, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Rafael Romero-Chavez, 33, of Summerfield – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity.
- Shannon Scarberry, 43, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and resisting arrest without violence.
- Travian Markee Sesler, 28, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Ashay Chinae Shakes, 31, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. According to MCSO, Shakes is a teacher at Fessenden Elementary School.
- David Michael Robinson, 64, of Ocala. Charges include soliciting a parent for sexual activity with a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Jesus Manuel Santiago Colon, 30 of Weirsdale – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The sheriff’s office stated that the following suspects were allegedly seeking sexual activity with a girl:
- Carl Allsop, 46, of Morriston – Charges include human trafficking and traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity.
- Jorge Alberto Alva Collazos, 44, of Connecticut – Charges include human trafficking, soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Orrin Leaford Armstead, 37, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Micky Alan Barber, 29, of Inverness – Charges include human trafficking (two counts), soliciting a minor for sexual activity (two counts), transmitting harmful material to a minor, and traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity.
- Roosevelt Beasley, 51, of North Carolina – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity.
- Collin Robert Beegle, 27, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Chad Michael Bouwens, 32, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possessing a firearm while in commission of a felony.
- Christopher Angelo Coulter, 31, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and resisting arrest without violence.
- Sebastian Diaz Ortiz, 28, of Altamonte Springs – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Waseem Dilshad, 37, of Wisconsin – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Savian Angel Eiland, 20, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Robert Rafat Fam, 30, of Altamonte Springs – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Dylan Ravil Frantz, 38, of Inglis – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and possession of marijuana (under 20 grams).
- John Fraser Goodman, 53, of Jacksonville – Charges include soliciting a parent for sexual activity with a minor, traveling to meet a parent for sexual activity with a minor, tampering with evidence, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Patrick Ethan-Jonathon Haan, 26, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Nickolas Jordon Hester, 28, of Keystone Heights – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Joshua Lee Head, 36, of Homosassa – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Adriane Ilao Orpilla, 22, of Mayport – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Jeremiah Benjamaur Johnson, 26, of Georgia – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a child for sexual activity, and transmitting harmful material to a minor.
- Alexis Ismael Lara Guardado, 25, of Thonotosassa – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Timothy Robert Lawson, 56, of Inverness – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- John Ernest Leininger, 60, of Ocala – Charges include human trafficking, soliciting a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Cody Tyler Luft, 32, of Belleview – Charges include soliciting a child for sexual activity, traveling to meet a child for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- William Scattergood Meister, 36, city/state not provided by MCSO – Charges include human trafficking, soliciting a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Robert Cotney Mixon, 30, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Jose Enrique Navarro, 44, of Gainesville – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, resisting arrest without violence.
- Jesus Padilla, 40, of Ocala – Charges include human trafficking, soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Israel David Rosario, 35, of Interlachen – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Andrew Robert Ruch, 32, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Kadyn Shane Russell, 21, of Gainesville – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Payton Slee Sims, 23, of Ormond Beach – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- David Alan Smith, 22, of Inverness – Charges include human trafficking (two counts), soliciting a minor for sexual activity (two counts), traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Philip Conrad Stutsman, 48, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Matthew Michael Szilagyi, 29, of Dunnellon – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity and traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity.
- Timothy Wayne Templeton, 48, of Lawtey – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Dalton Aaron Tyler, 28, of Sarasota – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Brian James Verka, 40, city/state not provided by MCSO – Charges include attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
- Michael Joseph Vitoff, 50, city/state not provided by MCSO – Charges include attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
- Kameron Reshaud Works, 31, of Ocala – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, driving with a suspended/revoked license.
- Matthew Joseph White, 40, of Melbourne – Charges include soliciting a minor for sexual activity, traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, transmitting harmful material to a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
While conducting “Operation Bad Habits,” the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ocala Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Homeland Security, Florida Sheriff’s Association, Office of the State Attorney Fifth Judicial Circuit, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
“Once again, the amazing teamwork and determination among all these agencies involved are sending a clear message to child sex predators that Florida has no tolerance for this and we will continue to do everything we can to protect these children,” said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods.