Two men in 'April Fools' online child sex sting resolve cases at Marion County courthouse
Two months after an undercover sting operation led to the arrests of more than 20 men accused of preying on children through the internet, documents show two cases have been resolved.
The state said it won't file charges against Damien Michael Shade, 21, who had been accused of unlawful use of a two-way communications device and transmission of material harmful to minors by electronic device or equipment.
In a court filing, the state said only that although there was probable cause for his arrest, based on the facts and circumstances of the case, the likelihood of conviction at trial was slight.
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The notice was sent to Shade's lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Debra Munchel, on May 25.
A second man, Ire Jermaine Bethea Jr., was adjudicated guilty of soliciting prostitution/ lewdness or assignation when he entered a guilty plea on June 8 in front of County Judge Jim McCune, according to court records.
The judge sentenced Bethea to 39 days in jail. The 38-year-old man had already served that time while at the Marion County Jail while awaiting resolution of this case.
Bethea also was sentenced to one year of probation and he must complete a basic life skills class within 120 days, show proof of STD and HIV testing within 30 days and undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation. He cannot have any intentional unsupervised contact with minors, and he must complete 40 hours of community service and pay fines and court costs, court documents indicate.
State prosecutors said in a court filing that although there was probable cause for Bethea's arrest, based on the facts and circumstances of the case, the original felony charges on which he was held would not be pursued. Instead, the case was reduced to a misdemeanor.
Bethea originally was held on charges of unlawful use of two-way communications device to facilitate felony; use computer to seduce solicit lure child; travel to meet a minor after use of computer to lure child; and kidnap/engage in human trafficking for labor or services of a child younger than 18.
Bethea, who was represented by Ocala lawyer David G. Mengers, is the son of Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea Sr. The sentencing conditions were part of a plea bargain worked out between the state and the defense.
Law enforcement operation
In April, Marion County Sheriff's Office officials announced that local, state and federal officials had worked together to make the arrests.
Authorities said agents posed as children and exchanged messages online with men. The men thought they were talking with children between the ages of 12 and 16.
Those who answered the messages hoped to engaged in sex acts with the children, and the men sent what was described as sexually explicit messages, law enforcement officials said.
When the men arrived at a meeting place they thought were safe, they were greeted by law enforcement officials who promptly arrested them.
Others charged in the sting
The others who were taken into custody were: Andre Allen Scott, 36; Clayton Daniel Wilson, 22; Millard Michael Hall, 65; Michael Jerrod Bright, 36; Benjamin Cory Staton, 30; Nathan Andrew Lewis, 28; Charles Milton Johns Jr., 47; James Raymond Cress, 46; Wesley Shawn Hicks, 44; Jorge Antonio Mojocoa, 68; Evan Michael Welshans, 31; Christopher Michael Matthews, 33; Daniel Hansen, 31; Victor Cruz Jr., 23; Jerry Tylan Sanstrom, 36; Alexander Michael Slowes, 24; Richard Lee Benitez, 62; Andrew Christian Rittmayer, 30; Rick Anthony Willet, 22; and Jason Allen Santolucito, 38.
Mojocoa's case was sent to federal court for prosecution, records show. The other cases are pending in state court.
Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: 'April Fools' online child sex sting cases addressed in Ocala, Florida
