Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrests, Deportations in Child Exploitation Operation

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

STUART, Fla.-Attorney General James Uthmeier today announced that Isaias Coy, David Desormeaux, Miguel Angel, Antonio Rojas, Mohamed Mesregah, and Jeremiah Gillyard have been arrested on charges relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

"These predators believed that they could hide behind a screen to exploit our children-they were wrong," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "Several of these defendants are now on ICE detainers and will face prison before deportation. We will never stop protecting kids in Florida; those who target them will be caught and punished."

"These men will soon come to realize that they traveled to the wrong county in the wrong circuit," said Thomas Bakkedahl, State Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

"This operation is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners come together with one shared mission-to protect our children," said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek. "These arrests should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can prey on children in our communities. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable."

"FDLE remains steadfast when it comes to protecting our innocent children from the dangerous predators lurking online. Working side by side with our state, local, and federal partners, we will continue to strengthen our efforts to safeguard every family and every child," said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. "Make no mistake, those who target or harm our children have no place in our communities. We will find them and bring them to justice."

This operation was a joint effort between Attorney General Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Martin County Sheriff's Office, Stuart Police Department, the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Office of Thomas Bakkedahl, State Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

The undercover operation targeted predators who were sexually exploiting children online. The investigation involved undercover law enforcement officers posing as 14-year-old girls on an online escort website. Each of the defendants engaged in sexually explicit and harmful communications with the undercover officers despite being informed they were communicating with a 14-year-old. The defendants each continued to make plans to meet for sexual activity, and were all arrested upon arriving at the agreed upon meeting spot.

The following individuals were arrested and charged as a result of the operation:

Isaias Chaman Coy, 40, Guatemala

• Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child
• Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child

David Desormeaux, 39, Canada

• Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child
• Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child
• Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Miguel Angel, 34

• Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child
• Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child

Antonio Frederico Perez Rojas, 22, Guatemala

• Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child
• Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child
• Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Mohamed Kamal Mesregah, 38, Egypt

• Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child
• Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child
• Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony

Jeremiah Jamel Gillyard, 34

• Use of a computer to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child
• Travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child
• Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate felony

These cases are being prosecuted by Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution, State Attorney's Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit, and the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

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