STUART, Fla. — A joint sting operation involving local, state and federal law enforcement has led to the arrests of six people accused of trying to have sex with minors in Martin County, with another dozen arrests expected.
Among the arrests was Earle Louis Hamm, 82, of Jensen Beach, who is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old boy who had been reported missing by his mother.
WATCH: An additional 12 arrests are expected
Other arrests include Igor Ravinsky, a Russian national, accused of sexual battery on a 14-year-old girl, and Egyptian national Mohamed Kamal-Mostafa Mesregah, for trying to meet an underage girl to engage in sexual acts.
"These cases highlight that there are individuals from around the world who are willing to travel to little Martin County to take advantage of the youth," Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said.
The operation, called “Operation All Tricks, No Treats,” was a three-day online investigation conducted in October. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said eight undercover officers from local, state and federal agencies posed as underage children online to identify potential predators.
“Eighteen individuals took the bait. Eighteen individuals interacted with our detectives, half of which sent sexually explicit photos of them doing inappropriate things to our 14-year-old undercovers and tried to engage in some kind of sexual activity,” said Budensiek.
Six people were arrested and are being held at the Martin County Jail for allegedly traveling to meet minors for sex. Authorities said an additional 12 arrests are in the works.
“They are prolific. You need to understand that,” said Thomas Bakkedahl, state attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit. “This is a message that I’m sending not to families, but I’m sending to them — that we’re watching.”
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Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office shows several of those arrests as suspects arrived at agreed meeting spots.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was in Stuart on Wednesday to discuss the operation, said the cases send a clear message to would-be predators.
“These individuals, they thought they could hide behind a screen and get away with it. They were wrong,” Uthmeier said. “If you are a child predator here in Florida, we’re coming after you like never before.”
Budensiek said in the age of social media, cases like these are becoming increasingly common. It’s why law enforcement officials are urging parents to monitor their children.
“Parents, please be involved, ask questions, look at the devices, and then partner up with law enforcement, so we can jump on these cases quickly,” said Stuart Police Chief Flamur Zenelovic.
The sheriff's office said the following suspects face charges in the operation:
Isaias Chaman Coy, 40, Guatemala, who the sheriff's office said was in the country illegally
Charges: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child.
ICE detainer placed
David Desormeaux, 39, Canada
Charges: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
Miguel Angel, 34 Stuart, Florida
Charges: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
(Subject was also in possession of a firearm.)
Antonio Frederico Perez Rojas, 22, Guatemala
Charges: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
ICE detainer placed.
Mohamed Kamal Mesregah, 38, Egypt
Charges: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
ICE detainer placed.
Jeremiah Jamal Gilyard, 34 Madison, Florida
Charges: Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child; use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
The sheriff's office said three of the arrested suspects are foreign nationals.
These cases are being prosecuted by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the State Attorney’s Office for the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District.
Portions of this story were assisted by artificial intelligence tools and reviewed by a WPTV journalists to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to editorial standards.
