Chris Gollon
A dozen suspects were arrested by the Volusia Sheriff's Office in recent weeks as part of the agency's two-month 'Operation Creep Sweep'. The perpetrators were booked on a variety of charges, and several were already registered sex offenders from previous offenses.
The pattern of previously convicted offenders is no coincidence; according to a statement this week from the Volusia Sheriff's Office, a conscious effort was made to focus the investigation on those with a history of committing sex crimes.
Participating agencies in the investigation and stings include the Volusia Sheriff's Office, North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, State Attorney (FL-7th Circuit), and the Port Orange Police Department.
The individuals arrested were as follows, along with their ages, city of residence and charges. If a release date is not noted, the suspect is still at the Volusia County Branch Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.
- Rodolfo Odio Diaz (33, Port Orange)
- Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
- Using a computer/internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Illegal immigrant/alien hold
- Darren East (31, Port Orange) (released May 31st)
- Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
- Using a computer/internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Brian Eckelbecker (43, Holly Hill)
- Failing to register social media/email as a sex offender (x5)
- Andres Escobar (28, Deltona)
- Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
- Using a computer/internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- John Fontaine (43, Canton, GA)
- Lewd/lascivious conduct (x2)
- Patrick Fulton (57, Holly Hill) (released May 16th)
- Failing to register social media/email as a sex offender (x4)
- Joshua Jobe (24, DeLand)
- Failing to register social media/email as a sex offender (x4)
- Possession of sexual performance by a child (x50)
- Tampering with electronic monitoring device
- Giving false name upon being arrested/detained
- Ervin Jones (45, Ormond Beach) (released May 28th)
- Failing to register social media/email as a sex offender (x3)
- Mathieu Lortie (35, Daytona Beach)
- Possession of sexual performance by a child (x20)
- Illegal immigrant/alien hold
- John McVeigh (53, Deltona)
- Possession of sexual performance by a child (x8)
- Jose Renteria (33, DeLand)
- Transmitting obscene/harmful material to minors
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Promoting sexual behavior by a child
- Thomas Yates (68, DeLand)
- Failing to register social media/email as a sex offender (x4)
