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(FOX40.COM) — While SPF protects you from the sun, “Operation SPF13” is the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office’s latest effort to protect children from online predators.
Over the course of the three-day sting, 90 personnel from 21 federal, state, and local agencies arrested 13 men across Sacramento, Placer, and Humboldt counties. Undercover detectives from the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit posed as children 13 and younger across multiple online platforms.
The sheriff’s office shared a list of the names of the suspects arrested and a brief description of their alleged crimes:
- Rocky Dykes, 36, of Rancho Cordova: Sent nude images to a decoy under 14, pushed to meet for sex, tried to flee on a bicycle and crashed: found with 100+ grams of meth packaged for sale.
- Joseph Bailey, 44, of Rancho Cordova: Explicitly described sex acts with a 13-year-old and came to a hotel.
- Allan Cazun-Giron, 44, of Sacramento: Messaged a decoy under 13, arrived at a hotel intending sex.
- Amad Asim, 30, of Modesto: Booked a hotel room to sexually exploit a 13-year-old.
- Roland “Ed” Bain, 40, of Sacramento: Arranged sex with a 13-year-old and was arrested at a hotel.
- Santos Rodolfo Pinedaamaya, 42, of Sacramento: Solicited anal sex from a 13-year-old; arrived with sexual paraphernalia.
- Justin Leonard, 37, of Rancho Cordova: Registered sex offender who arrived with sex toys to meet a 13-year-old; claimed he came for “pizza and a shower.
- Robert Flores, 52, of Stockton: Chatted for hours, acknowledging the “child’s” age, brought alcohol, and arrived to meet.
- Malcolm Tate, 31, of Oakdale: Offered cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol to a 13-year-old; arrived late at night with alcohol, marijuana and condoms.
- Justin Mixon, 28, of Ukiah: Solicited nude images and attempted to meet a 13-year-old.
- Cameron Hoppas, 39, of Oakland: Continued chats after the operation and traveled over two hours to meet a child.
- Hans Fink, 59, of Oakland: Drove to a park to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old for sex.
- Ramon Paz, 39, of Olivehurst: Planned to meet a 13-year-old and brought his infant; the infant was placed in protective custody.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s cyber team helped secure the necessary search warrants. DA Officials said several men face additional felony charges including:
- Sending harmful matter to a minor
- Arranging a meeting with a minor
- Attempted lewd acts with a child under 14
- Attempted production of child pornography
- Child endangerment
- Contacting a minor with intent to commit a sex offense
“Our DA office has about 100 active cases at any one time involving either operations like this or people uploading or downloading child sexual abuse material,” said Chris Ore, Sacramento County Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney. “If someone transmits that material, internet providers and social media sites are required by law to report it.”
Some suspects traveled up to three hours to meet who they believed were children.
“We are going on messaging apps, messaging platforms, dating applications,” a sheriff’s official said.
“If your kids have Minecraft, Roblox, or other programs with chat features, even young children can be contacted by individuals online, and it can be dangerous,” Ore added.
Among those arrested was 39-year-old Ramon Paz, who reportedly brought his infant to meet a minor for sex.
“Being involved in so many investigations, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that,” added Eric Steindorf, Assistant Commander of the Sacramento Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
The 14-month-old girl has since been placed in protective custody, according to the sheriff’s office.
Law enforcement officials said the arrests serve as a reminder for parents to monitor their children’s online activity.
“Sometimes you have to be a parent, and not always their best friend,” Steindorf said. “As a parent, you can check social media apps and see who your children are communicating with.”
Sheriff’s officials said none of the suspects worked with children.
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Juliette Smith
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