Deputies arrest 7 locals in sex crime sting
Tavares
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
Seven Lake County residents, including a high school volunteer and a sergeant in the Air National Guard, were among 26 people arrested in a sting targeting those who look for sex with children over the internet, the sheriff's office said.
Cyber crimes detectives, working in conjunction with other law enforcement member agencies of an internet task force, conducted an undercover, online, operation named "Operation: Take Two," which took place July 23-July 29 in a vacant home in the Tavares area.
Throughout the operation, detectives posed as a child, or guardian of a child, in various Internet chat forums. Once they were solicited for unlawful sexual activity, detectives arranged for the suspects to meet with them, at which time they were taken into custody.
"We were highly successful this summer with this operation. This is the second time we've done this and unfortunately, there is a strong need for this type of unit and these types of investigations," Lake County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Lt. John Herrell said. "You see and hear about these operations being conducted but I guess in the minds of these people traveling for these despicable acts, the potential reward is worth more than the risk to them."
Detectives said they arrested 26 men -- ages 19 to 60 -- who traveled for what they thought would be sexual activity with a child. Four vehicles also were seized.
The locals included:
n Germail Tomer Martin, 26, of 24932 Heavenly Way, Sorrento, charged with traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a child online, and attempted lewd or lascivious behavior. Detectives said the carpet cleaner arrived at the house with condoms, expecting to meet a 13 year old.
n Carlos Robinson, 27, of 701 Grant St., Mount Dora, charged with traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a child online, attempted lewd or lascivious behavior, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana. Investigators said the unemployed man arrived at the house with condoms and vodka, expecting to meet a 13 year old.
n Christopher Wade, 27, of 301 Woodland Trail, Lady Lake, charged with traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a parent or guardian and attempted lewd or lascivious battery. Detectives said he is unemployed and came to the house expecting to meet a 13 year old.
n Eric Christiansen, 25, of 4685 Barbados Loop, Clermont, charged with traveling to meet a minor and soliciting a parent or guardian. Detectives said he is a pilot and sergeant with the Air National Guard.
n Raymond Blackett, 22, of 6424 Armada St., Tavares, charged with traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a child online, and attempted lewd or lascivious behavior. Detectives said he is unemployed and came to the house with condoms, expecting to meet a 13 year old.
n Jose Alexander, 59, of 15858 Lily Court, Clermont, charged with traveling to meet a minor and soliciting a parent or guardian. Detectives said he is unemployed and came to the house expecting to meet a 13 year old.
n Thomas Lavoy, 23, of 5525 Hamlin Court, Leesburg, charged with traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a child online and attempted battery. Detectives said the dishwasher and East Ridge High School volunteer came to the house with condoms, expected to meet a 13 year old.
The others arrested face similar charges and include a Disney contractor, a property manager, a pizza deliveryman, an accountant, a chef and a security guard. Most were from Marion, Orange and Volusia counties, but one traveled from as far away as Georgia, detectives said.
"Many of them (people arrested) brought things like beer, other alcoholic beverages, marijuana and some of them had condoms and adult toys on them, which served as clear evidence of their intent; that they clearly had every intent of going through with these atrocious acts," Herrell said, adding that this should serve as a reminder to parents about apparent dangers associated with the Internet.
"Kids are going to use the Internet, but parents need to be very mindful of who their children are communicating with. Children can be very trusting and naïve," he said.
A tip Herrell offered to parents is to place any computer a child may use in a common part of the house so that it can be monitored more easily. He said he also urges parents to communicate often and openly with their children.
"The key things for parents to remember are educating their children and keeping the lines of communication open at all times," Herrell said.
Herrell said that the LCSO also aids other Internet crime units and agencies in other areas in between operations such as these the LCSO heads up in Lake County.
Friday, August 10, 2012 - www.dailycommercial.com/081012sex