Child Predators Targeted In Sting, Lake Elsinore Man Arrested

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The results of a month-long law enforcement operation that targeted suspected child predators were released by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday.

Twenty-five people were arrested during the investigation dubbed Operation Intercept, including a Lake Elsinore man.

Ramon Gomez, 45, of Lake Elsinore was arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor and arranging to meet with the intent to engage in lewd sex acts, according to the DA's office, which led the investigation.

Also arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor with the intent to engage in lewd sex acts were:

• Demitri Caballero, 25, of Indio
• Jose Ortega, 38, of Indio
• Evan Grill, 58, of Los Angeles

Arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor, possession of child exploitation material and distributing child exploitation material was:

• Stuart Campbell, 46, of Pomona

Arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor, arranging to meet with the intent to engage in lewd sex acts with a minor and possession of a firearm:

• Ismael Rodriguez, 38, of Indio
• Scott Miller, 39, of Murrieta
• James Renfroe, 34, of Riverside

Arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor, arranging to meet with the intent to engage in lewd sex acts with a minor and violation of parole was:

• Hilario Mendoza, 45, of Apple Valley

Arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor and arranging to meet with the intent to engage in lewd sex acts with a minor were:

• Salvador Reveles, 34, of Compton
• Kristopher Sandoval, 32, of Fontana
• Richard Wooten, 41, of Indio
• Ryan Vernola, 29 of Indio
• Sean Aluoto, 43, of Irvine
• Chance Sawyer, 22, of Palm Desert
• Apolonio Luciano, 40, of Palm Springs
• Jesse Rojero, 35, of Perris
• Jesus Nunez, 61, of Moreno Valley
• Anthony Boyd, 30, of Riverside
• James Logan, 30, of Riverside
• Joshua Rivera, 32, of Rosemead
• Johnathan Ross, 22, of Apple Valley
• Veston Ash, 48, of Desert Hot Springs
• Marino Lopez, 30, of Palm Desert
• Ramiro Rodriguez, 35, of Thousand Palms

Operation Intercept targeted "possible sexual predators who actively look for minors on social media platforms for the purpose of committing lewd acts. The operation is meant to reduce the number of internet child predators throughout Riverside County," according to the DA's office.

To snare the suspects, investigators acted as underage decoys on social media platforms. During chats, in-person meetings were arranged, with suspects expecting sex with a minor, the DA's office explained.

However, when suspects arrived at predetermined meeting spots, they were instead met by law enforcement and arrested.

The DA's office said the covert operations will continue countywide.