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Police Bust 22 Men For Soliciting Children

Twenty-two men have been arrested in an internet sting that targeted adults who traveled to a designated location in Pensacola to have sex with minor children.

“It is through the collaborating, partnering and building relationships that we protect our children and make the internet a safer place,” said Pensacola Police Chief David Alexander III. “This effort of arresting and prosecuting these individuals helps to stop future abuse. This was five days of hard work for our officers, dispatchers, support personnel, and personnel from other agencies in addition to the planning of this operation.”

Operation Undertow took place September 7 to 11. Warrants were issued for all of the suspects after they contacted undercover agents via computer about arranging to have sex with teen-aged males or females. The agents posted information on various websites and began talking with the suspects once the suspects initiated conversation with them.
The suspects were taken into custody once they arrived at a designated location with intentions of having sex with minor children.

“This collaborative effort of law enforcement agencies demonstrates the cooperative spirit needed to keep our children safe,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “As a father, I am at ease knowing our law enforcement personnel are successful in dealing with this issue. If these were real children in real conditions, these children would never be the same again, and it affects their entire life.”

Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and their last known address were:

• David Olmos, 24, of 8800 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola.
• Calvin Pearson, 31, of 320 W. Ensley St., Pensacola.
• Claudio Mistri, 56, of 7111 N. Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola.
• Devin Gilchris, 21, of 200 Ruby Ave., Pensacola.
• Adelardo Gonzales, 51, of 233 Aquamarine Ave., Pensacola.
• Alfred Foster, 71, of 1250 S. Sutton Trace Court, Mobile, AL.
• Grayson Blanton, 18, of 440 Roberts Ave., Pensacola.
• Jackson Silliman, 21, of 3359 Silkwood Lane, Pace.
• Frank Rhobotham, 68, of 1508 E. Blount St., Pensacola.
• Darius Lambert, 33, 449 Evening Falls Dr., Pensacola.
• Alex Johnson, 19, 4848 Chumuckla Highway, Pace.
• David Hoppenjan, 52, of 5622 Thistledown Court, Pace.
• Charles Phillips, 53, of 9253 Bellingrath Road, Mobile, AL.
• Mison Johnson, 22, of 2917 Patch Ave., Crestview.
• Alexander Croyle, 22, of 440 Roberts Ave., Pensacola.

Also arrested and their last known addresses were:

• Jose Ramirez-Magos, 51, of 7081 W. Lee Sir, Irvington, AL. Charged with  raveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, transmitting information harmful to minors, and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
• John Staples, 24, of 9566 Hay Meadow Road, Milton. Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to solicit a guardian, and possession of marijuana less than 20 grams.
• Jeff Harrison, 26, of 46 E, Pearl Ave., Pensacola. Charged with using a computer to solicit a parent/guardian for consent and traveling to meet using a computer to solicit a guardian.
• Erik Huber, 29, of 317 MacArthur Ave., Biloxi, MS. Charged with misrepresenting age using a computer to solicit/lure/seduce and traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child.
• Justin Hill, 28, of 706 E. Fairfield Dr., Pensacola. Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and transmitting information harmful to minors.
• Christopher Foster, 24, of 10171 Weldwood Dr., Meridian MS. Charged with using a computer to seduce/lure/seduce a child and traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child.
• Bradly Jones, 46, of 21278 Deer Circle, Lake View, AL. Charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug equipment.

This was the largest multi-jurisdictional internet sting targeting people wanting to have  sex with children since Operation Blue Shepherd headed by the Pensacola Police Department. Operation Blue Shepherd resulted in the arrests of 25 men in June 2011 during a one-week period.

The Pensacola Police Department, in coordination with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, worked the investigation with the following agencies: Escambia County, Walton County, Okaloosa County, and Brevard County sheriff’s  offices; State Attorney’s Office; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Homeland Security; U.S. Marshal’s Service; Gainesville, Tallahassee, Gulf Breeze, Panama City, and Cocoa police departments; Escambia Jail; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Warrants have been issued for several more suspects.