MEXICO CITY (MEXICO)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [Washington D.C.]
September 22, 2022
By Unknown
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Yesterday, results of a multi-agency operation involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and led by the Surprise Police Department, was announced highlighting the results of a child sex trafficking takedown.
The Surprise Police Department Criminal Investigations Division also partnered with the Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear and the Peoria Police Department, in addition to the United States Marshals Service and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for operation “Back to Skool.” This was a valley-wide undercover operation targeting the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking, which netted 21 arrests. Throughout the operational period, undercover detectives placed ads on websites commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts. Operations of this type are a part of the law enforcement’s continuous effort to reduce the demand that fuels child sex trafficking and exploitation of children in our community.
The following suspects solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested:
| Name | Age | Arresting Agency | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo Carillo Flores | 23 | Surprise PD | Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Hansel Nicasio Cobos Soto | 29 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking, Refusing to Provide Truthful Name, Dangerous Drugs |
| Fernando Ramirez | 32 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Eric Encarnacion | 26 | Scottsdale PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Dominic Ybarra | 26 | Scottsdale PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking, Criminal Damage |
| David Jobski | 52 | Scottsdale PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Darius Showers | 45 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking, Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Chris Vale | 43 | Scottsdale PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Use of a Minor in a Drug Offense, Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Andrew Velasco | 34 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Van Lal Uk | 40 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking, Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Albert Carranza | 34 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| James Baker | 54 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| James Preise | 62 | Scottsdale PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Michael Rivers | 38 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Nicholas Langrine | 35 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Owen Wright | 50 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking, Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Rekil Patel | 29 | Scottsdale PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Sean Truong | 63 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Shane Johnson | 50 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Tong Minh Phan | 43 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
| Travis Gonda | 35 | Surprise PD | Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Child Sex Trafficking |
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free tip line at 1-866-347-2423, or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199; hearing impaired users may call TTY 802-872-6196.
HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) partners, and other federal, state, and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC’s toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. Further, HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify, and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.
HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 86 overseas locations in 55 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.