Below is the official statement from Florida Attorney General James Usmayer’s office regarding the arrests involving suspected child exploitation activities.
Attorney General James Usmayer announced that Isaias Coy, David Desormeaux, Miguel Ángel, Antonio Rojas, Mohamed Mezrega, and Jeremiah Gilyard were arrested on charges related to child sexual exploitation.
“These predators believed they could hide behind screens and exploit children, but they were wrong,” said Attorney General James Usmayer. “Some of these defendants are currently in ICE custody and will go to prison before being deported. We will never stop protecting Florida’s children. Those who target our children will be caught and punished.”
“These people will soon find out they traveled to the wrong county in the wrong circuit,” said Thomas Bakkedahl, state attorney for Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit.
“This operation is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal partners come together with a common mission to protect children,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek. “These arrests should serve as a warning to those who think they can prey on children in our communities. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable.”
“FDLE remains steadfast when it comes to protecting innocent children from dangerous predators lurking online. We will continue to work with our state, local and federal partners to strengthen our efforts to protect all families and all children,” said FDLE Secretary Mark Glass. “Make no mistake: Those who target or harm our children have no place in our community. We will find them and bring them to justice.”
This operation was a joint effort between Attorney General Usmayer’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Stuart Police Department, the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Office of State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl of the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
This covert operation targeted criminals who sexually exploit children online. The investigation involved an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on an online escort website. Each defendant engaged in sexually explicit and harmful communications with an undercover officer despite being informed that he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy. The defendants each continued to make plans to meet for sexual acts and were all arrested upon arriving at the agreed meeting point.
As a result of this operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged.
Isaias Chaman Coy, 40 years old, Guatemala
Using a computer to seduce, solicit, tempt, or seduce a child Travel to meet after using a computer to seduce a child
David Desormeaux, 39, Canada
Use of a computer to entice, solicit, entice, or seduce a child Use a computer to seduce and then meet a child Use of a two-way communication device in furtherance of a felony
Miguel Angel, 34 years old
Using a computer to seduce, solicit, tempt, or seduce a child Travel to meet after using a computer to seduce a child
Antonio Frederico Perez Rojas, 22, Guatemala
Use of a computer to entice, solicit, entice, or seduce a child Use a computer to seduce and then meet a child Use of a two-way communication device in furtherance of a felony
Mohamed Kamal Mesrega, 38 years old, Egypt
Use of a computer to entice, solicit, entice, or seduce a child Use a computer to seduce and then meet a child Use of a two-way communication device in furtherance of a felony
Jeremiah Jamel Geard, 34 years old
Use of a computer to entice, solicit, entice, or seduce a child Use a computer to seduce and then meet a child Use of a two-way communication device in furtherance of a felony
These cases are being prosecuted by Attorney General James Usmayer’s Office of the Statewide Attorney, the State Attorney’s Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
