OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WDNews) – The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced on October 29 the arrest of fourteen men during “Operation Dark Harvest,” a two-week undercover effort targeting online child predators.
The Sheriff’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit conducted the operation to identify adults attempting to engage with minors for sexual activity.
Sheriff Eric Aden said, “We will never let up on our ongoing work to stop depraved adults who attempt to prey on young people. Parents can play a crucial role in prevention by monitoring their children’s usage of social media, including activities on gaming systems.”
Arrested for traveling to meet a child for sex, using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, and using a computer to seduce, solicit, or lure a child were:
Marvin Felix, 41
Miguel Giron-Diaz, 48
Andrae Barrett, 37
Kalesha Gullakanti, 30
Tyner Akins, 28
Emmanuel Rodriguez-Espinosa, 27
Stephen Lee Wilaby, 43
Melvin Saavedra-Vasquez, 45
Harvin Guzman Centeno, 31
Charged with use of a computer to solicit the guardian of a child, traveling to meet a child for sex, and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony were:
James Ray Wells, 53
Daeshon Fields, 25
Charged with use of a computer to seduce, solicit, or lure a child and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony were:
Alexander Wardrop, 31
Zachary Clapper, 36
James Hall, 60
The Sheriff’s Office said the operation reflects its continued commitment to protecting children from online predators and bringing offenders to justice.
