Operation Spring Break Results in Several Arrests For Child Sexual Abuse Charges

TOLEDO, Ohio - Three Northwest Ohio men have been federally charged for child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) related offenses as part of an investigation that culminated in the execution of 16 search warrants last week. An additional four defendants were also arrested during last week's roundup and are being held on state charges.

The three defendants were arrested on criminal complaints and each charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, also known as CSAM. These cases are separate and not related:

• Gavin Jaffe, 27, of Millbury, Ohio

  According to court documents, investigators found that Jaffe was allegedly active on a social media platform where he sent and received CSAM, as well as messaged others about his sexual interest in children. Agents later learned that Jaffe was previously the subject of a local investigation into CSAM.

• Jared Mishka, 26, of Toledo, Ohio

  Court documents show that during a search warrant execution at Mishka's residence, agents located several thumb drives that contained thousands of child sexual abuse images and videos. The CSAM materials included pre-pubescent children under the age of 12. Agents also located a list of addresses near his home, each with the name of a female, as well as a collection of girls' socks.

• Alexander Rojas, 38, of Toledo, Ohio

  According to court document, Rojas allegedly hid a cellphone in the vent of the floorboard during a search warrant execution. Investigators later found that the cellphone contained multiple images of child sexual abuse, including infants. Other items seized from his residence were child-like sex toys, children's onesies, and underwear for young girls.

"These arrests happen to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is recognized each April," said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer. "Together with the investigative efforts of our law enforcement partners, my office will aggressively prosecute those who take part in any type of these heinous crimes against children and hold them accountable for these despicable actions." U.S. Attorney Toepfer will also be highlighting the awareness of crimes against children on the office's Facebook page in the coming days through timely public service announcements.

Throughout the week-long operation, agents seized a total of 128 digital items of evidentiary value, including computers and cellphones. According to investigators, thousands of CSAM files were located on electronic devices.

The FBI Toledo Resident Agency led the investigations in a multi-agency effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement including:

• Toledo Police Department
• Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Henry County Sheriff's Office
• Paulding County Sheriff's Office
• Wauseon Police Department
• Lake Township Police Department
• Rossford Police Department
• Defiance Police Department
• Seneca County Sheriff's Office
• Noble County Sheriff's Office
• Ohio State Highway Patrol
• Tiffin Police Department
• Defiance County Prosecutor's Office
• Hancock County Sheriff's Office
• Lima Police Department
• Hardin County Sheriff's Office

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.