Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced the arrests of six individuals on charges related to the sexual exploitation of children following a joint undercover operation in Martin County, Florida. The suspects—Isaias Coy, David Desormeaux, Miguel Angel, Antonio Rojas, Mohamed Mesregah, and Jeremiah Gillyard—were taken into custody after engaging in explicit online communications with law enforcement officers posing as 14-year-old girls.
“These predators believed that they could hide behind a screen to exploit our children—they were wrong,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Several of these defendants are now on ICE detainers and will face prison before deportation. We will never stop protecting kids in Florida; those who target them will be caught and punished.”
Thomas Bakkedahl, State Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida, commented: “These men will soon come to realize that they traveled to the wrong county in the wrong circuit.”
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek stated: “This operation is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners come together with one shared mission—to protect our children. These arrests should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can prey on children in our communities. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable.”
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass added: “FDLE remains steadfast when it comes to protecting our innocent children from the dangerous predators lurking online. Working side by side with our state, local, and federal partners, we will continue to strengthen our efforts to safeguard every family and every child. Make no mistake, those who target or harm our children have no place in our communities. We will find them and bring them to justice.”
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Stuart Police Department, the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Office of Thomas Bakkedahl.
According to authorities involved in the case, each defendant continued their plans for sexual activity even after being told they were communicating with someone they believed was 14 years old. They were arrested upon arrival at agreed meeting locations.
The individuals face various charges such as use of a computer to seduce or entice a child and travel after using a computer for such purposes; some also face charges for using two-way communication devices during commission of felonies.
Prosecution is being handled by Attorney General Uthmeier’s office along with both state and federal prosecutors from the State Attorney’s Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit and United States Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Florida.
