4 arrested in Monterey County undercover sting targeting suspected online child predators
SALINAS, Calif. —
An undercover Homeland Security sting targeting suspected online child predators resulted in the arrests of three Central Coast men and one man from Gilroy.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the multiagency sting was conducted Aug. 14 through Aug. 15 with help from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
During the operation, undercover investigators communicated online with people who allegedly sought to sexually exploit minors.
Investigators said the suspects engaged in sexually explicit conversations and arranged to meet people they believed were underage for sexual activity.
When the suspects arrived at predetermined locations, law enforcement officers contacted them and made arrests.
Those arrested were identified as:
- Omar Rivera Hernandez, 28, of Gilroy — booked on felony charges including contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, arranging and going to a meeting with a minor, attempted lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, sending harmful material with intent to seduce a minor, and using a minor in obscene material. His bail was set at $200,000.
- Luis Cruz Jr., 32, of Marina — booked on felony charges including attempted lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, and arranging and going to a meeting with a minor. His bail was set at $200,000.
- Andrew Jesus Ledesma, 32, of Watsonville — booked on felony charges including arranging and going to a meeting with a minor, attempted lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, procuring a minor under 16 for a sex act, and paying for prostitution. His bail was set at $200,000.
- Jovany Ollua Carbajal, 28, of Seaside — booked on felony charges including attempted lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, contacting a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, and arranging and going to a meeting with a minor. His bail was set at $100,000.
“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. “Protecting children requires proactive investigations and strong partnerships. I am extremely proud of the investigators and law enforcement professionals who worked together during this operation. We will continue working with our local, state and federal partners to identify those who seek to victimize children and hold them accountable.”
All but Andrew Jesus Ledesma appeared in court in a Salinas courtroom on Tuesday, where the three defendants entered not guilty pleas.
Cruz Jr. was charged by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office with one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes and one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense. Prosecutors also filed special allegations related to planning, sophistication or professionalism, and violent conduct. Court records indicate the victim was a person Cruz Jr. allegedly believed was an underage boy. Cruz was arrested Aug. 15.
Carbajal was charged with one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense and one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes. Prosecutors also filed a special allegation related to violent conduct. Court records indicate the victim was a person Carbajal allegedly believed was an underage girl. Carbajal was arrested Aug. 15.
Omar Rivera Hernandez was charged with three felonies, including contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense, meeting a minor for lewd purposes and sending harmful matter to a minor. Court records indicate the victim was a person Hernandez allegedly believed was an underage boy. Hernandez was arrested on Aug. 14.
“Predators who use the internet to target children should know that HSI and our law enforcement partners are actively working to identify, investigate and stop them before they can harm a child,” said HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Jeff Brannigan. “Our success in these areas is only realized through close collaboration with our law enforcement partners in California and across the globe.”
