Advertisement Operation Mama Bear in Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito counties; 14 arrested Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Detail and Investigations Division conducted Operation Mama Bear in October, deputies announced Wednesday. VIDEO: 14 arrests in Operation Mama BearAn undercover sting identified and arrested Internet users who agreed to meet with underage girls in Monterey County for sex, deputies said.Fourteen men agreed to meet with someone who they believed was a 15 or 16 year old girl for various sex acts, Deputy B. Hoskins said. The "girl" was actually an undercover detective.MUG SHOTS: 14 men arrested in Operation Mama Bear"They arrived at a pre-arranged meeting location, at the agreed upon time, to engage in sexual activity with a person they believed was a 15 or 16 year old girl. All 14 suspects were taken into custody," Hoskins said. Men busted in the sting included: a security guard, Alexi Gopko, 29, of Seaside; a computer engineer, Fnu Aroon, 25, of San Jose; a CDC Officer, Raun High, 30, of Fresno; and a nursing student, Ryan Fromuth, 30, of Salinas.The suspects live in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Fresno counties. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said it takes protecting youth seriously."This operation was conducted to warn offenders out there who are engaged in these crimes, or thinking about committing these crimes against our youth. We are watching out for them and actively targeting them for arrest. Operations like Operation Mama Bear will continue in the future. There are also several ongoing investigations associated with this operation and more arrests are expected in the future as a result of this operation," Hoskins said.14 men arrested in Operation Mama Bear:Martinez, Ruben Occupation: Student , Date of Arrest: 10-08-2013 Address: Carrillo Place, Soledad. Age: 20 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic HT: 5’10 WT: 145 EYES: Blk HAIR: Blk Aroon, Fnu K. Occupation: Computer Engineer Date of Arrest: 10-09-2013Address: Trade Zone Way, San Jose. Age: 25 Race: Middle Eastern HT: 5’9 WT: 130 EYES: Brn HAIR: BlkColosky, Kevin T. Occupation: Grocery Clerk Date of Arrest: 10-10-2013Address: Recht Street, Hollister. Age: 28 Race: White HT: 6’0 WT: 260 EYES: Grn HAIR: BrnHernandez, Abelardo Occupation: Landscaper Date of Arrest: 10-12-2013Address: Plum Street, San Jose. Age: 41 Race: Hispanic HT: 5’6 WT: 175 EYES: Brn HAIR: BlkBerlanga, Francisco Occupation: Baker Date of Arrest: 10-12-2013Address: Porter Drive, Watsonville. Age: 25 Race: Hispanic HT: 5’8 WT: 160 EYES: Brn HAIR: BrnThreatt, Donald Occupation: Retired Date of Arrest: 10-12-2013Address: Violet Drive, Fairfield. Age: 63 Race: White HT: 5’10 WT: 200 EYES: Brn HAIR: BrnMendoza, Roberto Occupation: Tow truck driver Date of Arrest: 10-12-2013 Address: Vallejo Street, Seaside. Age: 26 Race: Hispanic HT: 5’7 WT: 145 EYES: Brn HAIR: BlkGopko, Alexi Occupation: Security Guard Date of Arrest: 10-17-2013Address: Havana Street, Seaside. Age: 29 Race: White HT: 5’8 WT: 150 EYES: Blu HAIR: BlnOzuna, Jr, Jaime Occupation: Ship/Rec Clerk Date of Arrest: 10-19-2013Address: Chenin Blanc Street, Los Banos. Age: 30 Race: Hispanic HT: 5’6 WT: 210 EYES: Brn HAIR: BrnLandon, Shawn Occupation: Home Theater Installer Date of Arrest:10-24-13Address: Medallion Way, Sacramento. Age: 39 Race: White HT: 5’8 WT: 160 EYES: Haz HAIR: BrnHigh, Raun Occupation: CDC Officer Date of Arrest: 10-25-2013Address: East Robinson Street, Fresno. Age: 30 Race: White HT: 5’10 WT: 230 EYES: Blu HAIR: BlnWalton, Shane Occupation: Unemployed Date of Arrest: 10-26-2013Address: Military Avenue, Seaside. Age: 35 Race: White HT: 5’6 WT: 260 EYES: Bln HAIR: BluGarcia, Francisco Occupation: Home Delivery Manager Date of Arrest: 10-26-2013Address: Bobcat Way, Salinas. Age: 32 Race: Hispanic HT: 6’0 WT: 390 EYES: Brn HAIR: BlkFromuth, Ryan Occupation: Nursing Student Date of Arrest: 10-26-2013Address: W.Market Street, Salinas. Age: 30 Race: Asian HT: 6’0 WT: 160 EYES: Blk HAIR: BlkDuring questioning, some of the men who were arrested admitted to committing past sex crimes with children."Those victims have already been identified and those cases are being investigated by the appropriate jurisdictions," Hoskins said.