13 arrested across Northern California in child sex sweep targeting online predators
Thirteen men from the Sacramento area and across Northern California are facing multiple felony charges after a sweeping Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office operation targeted suspected sex predators seeking children online.
Sheriff’s investigators working with the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force launched Operation SPF-13, posing as children 13 years old and younger online and going to where the suspected predators roamed on messaging and chat apps. The three-day blitz in July brought together more than 90 people from 21 agencies, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The operation was months in the planning, said Sgt. Eric Steindorf of the Sheriff’s Office’s Hi-Tech Crimes unit.
“There are quite a bit of moving parts involved, detectives, people running backgrounds, surveillance, processing and reviewing evidence, and the arresting officers. It’s very labor-intensive, not only during that short window but afterward,” Steindorf said.
Some are known to law enforcement. One arrested in the sex sting was a registered sex offender. Many other predators “are actively off the radar,” Steindorf said, avoiding detection for years until they are contacted through operations like SPF-13.
The undercover detectives made their ages known. Still, the suspects asked the agents to commit sexual acts, send pornographic material or meet for sex, booking hotel rooms where agents awaited, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Some suspects traveled up to three hours to meet who they believed were children, authorities said.
“These individuals who take advantage of kids have zero issue with traveling. It’s something that parents have to be aware of,” Steindorf said Wednesday at Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Old Foothill Farms.
“We’re looking at people who are actively using the internet to find children for sexual purposes,” Steindorf said. “These suspects are actively looking. If they have to travel, so be it.”
Sheriff’s video of task force agents in action show the moments the men attempted to meet children to engage in sex acts only to face deputies and task force agents.
Authorities said another man, Ramon Paz, 39, of Olivehurst, Yuba County, brought his 14-month-old child, still in her car carrier. Arresting agents said he had planned to meet a 13-year-old for sex. Stunned task force agents were seen on video provided by the Sheriff’s Office taking the infant after the man’s arrest. The child is now in protective custody, deputes said.
“That is scary,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Juan Hidalgo, commander of the Intenet Crimes Against Children unit. “The fact you were able to find that kid, rescue that kid, you all are responsible for saving that kid’s life in the future.”
Another man, Rocky Dykes, 36, of Rancho Cordova, was found with 100 grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale, after allegedly sending nude images to a decoy.
The men from Sacramento, Placer, Alameda, Humboldt, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Yuba counties, face criminal charges including contacting a minor with intent to commit a sex offense; sending harmful matter to a minor; attempted lewd acts with a child under 14 years of age; attempted production of child pornography; possession of controlled substances and child endangerment.
• Allan Cazun-Giron, 44, of Sacramento, allegedly messaged a decoy under 13 and arrived at a hotel for sex.
• Amad Asim, 30, of Modesto, booked a hotel room. Agents allege he planned to sexually exploit a 13-year-old.
• Joseph Bailey, 44, of Rancho Cordova, described sexual acts with a 13-year-old and went to a hotel.
• Roland Edward Bain, 40, of Sacramento, allegedly arranged sex with a 13-year-old and was arrested at a hotel. He appears Thursday in Sacramento Superior Court on suspicion of communicating with a minor with the intent of committing a sex offense; meeting with a minor for the purposes of lewd and lascivious behavior; and possessing child pornography.
• Santos Rodolfo Pinedaamaya, 42, of Sacramento, is suspected of soliciting sodomy from a 13-year-old and arrived with sexual paraphernalia.
• Justin Leonard, 37, of Rancho Cordova, is a registered sex offender who authorities said arrived to meet a 13-year-old with sex toys. Leonard later claimed he wanted to meet for “pizza and a shower,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. Leonard is being held without bail at Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit a sex offense; being a sex offender with a prior arranged meeting; and meeting a minor with the intent of committing lewd and lascivious behavior; along with possessing narcotic paraphernalia. His next Sacramento Superior Court appearance is Sept. 22.
• Robert Flores, 52, of Stockton, chatted for hours online while acknowledging the undercover “child’s” age. He brought alcohol after arranging to meet, said authorities.
• Malcolm Tate, 31, of Oakdale, Stanislaus County, offered cocaine, marijuana and alcohol to a 13-year-old before a late-night meeting where he brought alcohol, marijuana and condoms, authorities alleged.
• Justin Mixon, 28, of Ukiah, Mendocino County allegedly solicited nude images and attempted to meet a 13-year-old.
• Cameron Hoppas, 39, of Oakland, continued chats following the operation and traveled more than two hours to meet a child, authorities said.
All were booked into custody in their respective counties, the Sheriff’s Office said.
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