Four men were arrested during a multi-agency undercover operation targeting individuals allegedly using the internet to seek sexual contact with minors, Monterey County Sheriff’s Commander Andres Rosas said Tuesday.
Arrested were Omar Rivera Hernandez, 28, of Gilroy; Luis Cruz Jr., 32, of Marina; Andrew Jesus Ledesma, 32, of Watsonville; and Jovany Ollua Carbajal, 28, of Seaside.
They were charged with attempted lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense and arranging or going to a meeting with a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct.
Bail amounts range from $100,000 to $200,000.
The operation lasted from Aug. 14-15 and was led by the San Francisco branch of Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, Del Rey Oaks Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, Salinas Police Department, Seaside Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office and Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
During the operation, undercover investigators communicated online with individuals who allegedly sought to sexually exploit minors.
Investigators identified suspects who engaged in sexually explicit communications and allegedly arranged to meet people they believed were minors for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
When the suspects arrived, they were instead met by law enforcement officers and arrested.
“This operation should send a very clear message to anyone who uses the internet in an attempt to prey upon children: the person you are communicating with may be an undercover law enforcement officer,” Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said.
HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Jeff Brannigan warned that his agency and other law enforcement agencies are working to identify and investigate people who seek to exploit children and stop them before they can cause harm.
“Our success in these areas is only realized through close collaboration with our law enforcement partners in California and across the globe,” Brannigan said.
Online platforms, social media, messaging applications and other forms of electronic communication can provide offenders with direct access to children. Parents and guardians are encouraged to remain aware of their children’s online activity and speak with them about the risks of communicating with people they do not know.
