Sandia National Laboratories former intern among 15 arrested in FBI child solicitation sting | #childpredator | #onlinepredator | #sextrafficing

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, released results of its ‘Undercover Online Chat’ investigation targeted toward child predators. According to the FBI, the operation led to 15 arrests of individuals charged with crimes including child solicitation via electronic devices through social media platforms.MORE: Albuquerque middle school teacher among 8 charged in child predator operationThe FBI Albuquerque Field Office led the operation alongside: The New Mexico Department of Justice Albuquerque Police DepartmentBernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Santa Fe Police Department2nd Judicial District Attorney’s OfficeU.S. Attorney’s Office of New MexicoSocial Media PlatformsAccording to the NMDOJ, the suspects contacted decoy accounts created by its department and partnering agencies to proceed with the four-day undercover operation, “Operation Game Over.”SniffiesSkiptheGamesGrindrMeetMeMocoSpace Christopher Frost, 28, is among the 15 individuals arrested for child solicitation. According to the criminal complaint, a Santa Fe Police detective posed as a 14-year-old for the undercover chat operation on Monday, May 11, 2026. Frost initiated contact with a 14-year-old via social media.According to investigators, the undercover detective informed Frost of his age as a 14-year-old. However, investigators stated Frost continued to initiate contact afterwards. Frost was provided with an address to meet and arrived at the front door of the residence and/or building in Albuquerque. He was arrested by detectives shortly after. According to criminal complaint, Frost informed investigators he was an employee at Sandia National Laboratories and his shift begins at 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sandia National Laboratories statementOn Tuesday, KOAT reached out to Sandia National Laboratories regarding Frost’s statement to investigators. However, a spokesperson for Sandia National Laboratories debunked the claim, stating, “I can confirm that none of the suspects arrested are employees at Sandia. Christopher Frost is not a current employee at Sandia National Labs. He was previously a student intern. Last day at Sandia was July 2024.” Max Lorenzo LujanAccording to federal documents, Lujan engaged in an online chat conversation via MocoSpace. The law enforcement officer’s undercover persona was a 12-year-old girl. Lujan initiated sexual gestures via MocoSpace shortly after sending a friend request to the decoy account.9 of the 15 Suspects (via NMDOJ)Ryan Lard Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device and Meets with a Child Under 13 On May 14, 2026, Ryan Lard contacted a decoy account on the MeetMe app depicting a young female user and provided his phone number. The decoy account texted the number provided and stated that she was almost 13 years old. Lard proceeded to discuss “hooking up” with her, the use of condoms and the morning-after pill. Lard then sent a Lyft to pick up the undercover agent and the agent was driven to Lard’s location. He was identified, apprehended and interviewed by FBI agents. 2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison Roman Benjamin Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device and Meets with a Child Under 13 On May 13, 2026, Roman Benjamin engaged in an online chat with a decoy account that identified as almost 13 years old. After acknowledging the decoy “young,” asking for a photo, and telling the decoy “I’d rather not get arrested,” they signed off for the evening. The next day, May 14, Benjamin reached out saying he had $100 for “some quick sex” and asking for a topless photo. They arranged to meet and upon Benjamin’s arrival at the undercover house, he was apprehended by law enforcement. 2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison Anthony Larsen Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device and Meets with a Child Under 13 On May 13, 2026, Larsen sent a photo of himself to a decoy account claiming to be a 12-year-old boy. After confirming the decoy’s age as 12, Larsen repeatedly asked for photos of the decoy’s genitals, inquired about his sexual experience and stated that he had condoms. The two arranged to meet near a park and after Larsen confirmed his identity for the undercover agent, he was apprehended by law enforcement. 2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison Kyle Stovall Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child On May 12, 2026, Stovall engaged in an online chat conversation with a decoy account of a girl claiming to be 15 years old. After confirming her age, he asked for “a naked pic,” sent a photo of himself, and said that he was looking to “chat preferably naked and of course sex.” He also told her she could not get pregnant with him because he has had a vasectomy. They arranged a meeting at an undercover house, where Stovall pulled up in a vehicle and remained in the car, expressing that he was nervous due to the presence of neighbors speaking with the undercover agent in front of the house. He asked the undercover agent if she could meet him at a nearby park instead and, after the agent agreed, he left the scene and was apprehended by law enforcement nearby. 3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison Jeremy Garcia Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child On May 12, 2026, Jeremy Garcia engaged with a decoy account claiming to be a 14-year-old boy. Garcia sent several photos of himself, including one of his genitals and expressed interest in the boy’s short height that indicated youth. Garcia tells the decoy account he would “take charge” and that he wanted to do things such as “kissing” and “sucking” with him. Garcia described participating in sexual oral activities before arranging to meet. Upon arrival at the meeting point, Garcia was apprehended by law enforcement. 3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison Jose Arizmendy-Vega Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child On May 11, 2026, Jose Arizmendy-Vega engaged in a chat conversation with a decoy account operated by law enforcement on an escort service app. After confirming the decoy was a 14-year-old girl, Arizmendy-Vega proceeded to hire the girl for sex and agreed to the price of $100 for sex wearing a condom. He agreed to meet at the decoy’s house and was apprehended by law enforcement upon arrival. 3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prisonChristopher PurteeCharge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child 3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison On May 11, 2026, Christopher Purtee engaged in a sexually explicit online chat with a decoy account identifying as a 14-year-old boy. After confirming the decoy’s age as 14, Purtee sent photos of himself, including his genitals, and indicated that he had “condoms and poppers” and asked if the boy had lube. After graphically describing sexual acts they would engage in, Purtee indicated he would pick up lube and meet the decoy at the agreed-upon address. When he arrived at the door, he was apprehended by law enforcement. Christopher Frost Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child On May 11, 2026, Christopher Frost engaged with a decoy account claiming to be a 14-year-old boy on the platform Sniffies. After confirming the age of the boy as 14, Frost proceeded to send explicit photos of his body and genitals to the boy. He also described performing oral sex before agreeing to meet that evening with a plan to “suck you at your place.” When he arrived at the home, he was apprehended. 3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison Jesus Jacobo Charge: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child On May 11, 2026, Jesus Jacobo engaged in a chat conversation with a decoy account claiming to be a 14-year-old girl. After learning her age, he asked if she was located in Santa Fe and inquired about the services she would offer. He proceeded to ask if she would let him perform oral sex on her and they negotiated a price for length of time and additional explicit actions. Before agreeing to make the drive from Santa Fe to meet, he confirmed that she would not tell anyone. When he arrived at the door of the house, he was apprehended by law enforcement. 3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison The NMDOJ will prosecute nine of the 15 suspects with the remainder of cases referred to partner agencies. According to NMDOJ, the cases have been divided among the participating agencies. Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here