SARASOTA - Sheriff's arrested 13 men ranging from ages 18 to 53 in a sex related Internet sting.
All of the men arrested in this operation live within or just outside Sarasota County, unlike operations in the past.
The suspects responded to Internet-based ads, online apps or social media sites and engaged in sexually explicit written and verbal conversations.
They met undercover officers with the intent of having sex with a male or female child. Some of the men sent explicit photos and several brought condoms with them.
"While it's concerning to see this many suspects respond in just four days," Sheriff Tom Knight said, "It's even more concerning that these individuals live right here in our community.
"This should be a reminder for parents to remain cognizant of their children's online activity; know what they are doing and who they are talking to."
The following suspects were arrested in the three-day operation and charged with:
Joshua Betts, DOB 06/15/80, 1972 Debbie St., Sarasota; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted, Transmission of Materials Harmful to Minors by Electronic Device.
Jeffrey J Bosma, DOB 09/15/91, 12408 Cortez Rd. #4, Bradenton; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Robert Clemmons, DOB 01/30/83, 1861 19th Street, Sarasota; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Joseph Circone, DOB 02/21/95, 2127 Lasalle Street, Sarasota; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Javier Garcia, DOB 08/09/94, 2626 19th Street, Sarasota; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted, Violation of Probation.
Jorge Hernandez-Mendoza, DOB 11/09/89, 911 58th Street, Bradenton; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted, Resisting Arrest Without Violence.
Reed Herron, DOB 07/14/1992, 2309 Clematis Street, Sarasota; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Keith Howard, DOB 09/22/70, 3418 29th Street W., Lehigh Acres; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Holland Incitti, DOB 07/16/91, 2788 NE Earnest Street, Arcadia; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Craig Lacourse, DOB 08/04/97, 2866 Coldwater Lane, North Port; Solicitation of Prostitution, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Jon Nichols, DOB 05/10/62, 3059 Barry Road, North Port; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Jose Ortega, DOB 07/10/94, 3354 River Road, Wimauma; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Ian Panton, DOB 10/30/82, 619 N. Earle Avenue, Apt 1, St. Petersburg; Use of a Computer to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Act, Travel to Solicit a Child to Commit Sex Acts, Lewd or Lascivious Battery – Attempted.
Detectives seized mobile devices from all 13 men arrested during the operation. In addition, some of the information obtained during this initiative has resulted in additional investigations which are ongoing at this time.
