On Tuesday, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced a dozen arrests in its months-long “Operation Creep Sweep.”
In a release, deputies said the investigation started in April, and the operation’s focus has been on catching sexual predators and offenders.
According to the VSO, several of the suspects — previously convicted of crimes against children — were found using email and social media accounts that weren’t registered as required under state law.
“Some had child pornography on their electronic tablet or on their cell phone. We had some who filmed themself having sex and then sent it to their daughter,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “And then we had some who were arrested for molesting a 16-year-old.”
Those arrested in the operation and the charges they face are as follows:
Joshua Jobe, 24 — SEX OFFENDER
CHARGES:Sex offender violation: failing to register social media and email accounts — Four countsPossession of sexual performance by a child — 50 counts
Body-worn camera video shows deputies confronting Jobe along the road back in April. In the video, Jobe reportedly claims not to know his first name.
Patrick Fulton, 57 — SEX OFFENDER
CHARGES:Sex offender violation: failing to register vehicle and email accounts — Four counts
Thomas Yates, 68 — SEX OFFENDER
CHARGES:Sex offender violation: failing to register social media accounts — Four counts
Body-camera video released by the VSO shows Thomas Yates being arrested back in April.
Ervin Jones, 45 — SEXUAL PREDATOR
CHARGES:Sex offender violation: failing to register social media accounts — Three counts
Body-worn camera video released by the VSO shows Jones being led through a building by deputies back in April.
Brian Eckelbecker, 43 — SEX OFFENDER
CHARGES:Sex offender violation: failing to register social media accounts — Five counts
Footage released by the VSO shows a conversation between a detective and Eckelbecker after the latter’s arrest.
John Fontaine, 43
CHARGES:Lewd or lascivious conduct — Two counts
Jose Renteria, 33
CHARGES:Transmitting obscene/harmful material to minorsUnlawful use of a two-way communication devicePromoting sexual behavior by a child
Andres Escobar, 28
CHARGES:
Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activityUsing a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activityUnlawful use of two-way communication device
Body-worn camera video released by the VSO shows Escobar’s arrest nearly two weeks ago.
Darren East, 31
CHARGES:Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activityUsing a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activityUnlawful use of two-way communication device
Body-camera video released by the VSO shows East’s arrest nearly two weeks ago.
Rodolfo Odio Diaz, 23
CHARGES:Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activityUsing a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activityUnlawful use of two-way communication devicePossession of paraphernaliaCurrently has illegal immigrant/alien hold at jail
Mathieu Lortie, 34
CHARGES:Possession of sexual performance by a child — 20 countsCurrently has illegal immigrant/alien hold at jail
Body-camera video released by the VSO shows Lortie’s arrest earlier this month, with his mother witnessing Lortie being placed in handcuffs.
John McVeigh, 55
CHARGES:Possession of sexual performance by a child — Eight counts
Footage released by the VSO shows an interview between McVeigh and a detective.
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