Who:

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Investigative Operations Bureau

-Special Victims Unit

-Crimes Against Children Unit

-Homicide/Robbery Unit

-Computer Forensics Unit

Patrol Operations Bureau

-Community Policing Unit



ICAC Task Force Members

- Polk County Sheriff's Office, Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

What:

Detectives arrested 15 suspects during “Operation Wayfarer,” a 5-day operation, that sought out individuals who chat with “minors” on-line for the purpose of meeting and engaging in sexual activity.

When:

“Operation Wayfarer” ran from Wednesday, January 20, 2016 through Sunday, January 24, 2016.

Where:

The operation command center was at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why/How:

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a 5-day operation, that sought out individuals who chat with “minors” on-line for the purpose of meeting and engaging in sexual activity.

Through the course of the 5-day operation, investigators or “chatters” posing as minors went on various websites to include on-line classified pages, social media sites and various chat rooms. During their online engagement, investigators established rapport with the subjects and developed cases in which the individuals arranged to meet with the “minor” for the purpose of sexual activity. Investigators say in their on-line communication, the subjects explicitly sought out minors for sex.



A total of 15 suspects were arrested in “Operation Wayfarer”. The individuals ranging from 20 to 47 years of age were arrested on various charges to include Traveling to Meet a Minor, Use of Computer Services Prohibited, and Online Solicitation of a Minor. Investigators say that one of the suspects, arrested for traveling to meet a minor, told investigators that he traveled 3 ½ hours from Lake Worth, Florida to meet a 13-year-old girl. Another suspect who was arrested identified himself as a nurse at a local hospital.



The suspects arrested during “Operation Wayfarer” are listed below with their charges.

Hector R. Paz Jr. (Arrested)

DOB: 08/18/1994

Address: 8464 75th Avenue North, Seminole

Charges: Certain Uses of Computer Services or Devices Prohibited, Driving While License Suspended



Jared S. Sanchez (Arrested)

DOB: 05/21/1982

Address: 1811 Cypress Trace Drive, Palm Harbor

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor, Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia



Neil M. Ganchero (Arrested)

DOB: 12/05/1975

Address: 2717 Seville Boulevard, Apartment # 7209, Clearwater

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor, Certain Uses of Computer Services or Devices Prohibited



Dennis W. Felton (Arrested)

DOB: 12/29/1992

Address: 2000 N 32nd Street, Tampa

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor, Transmission of Material Harmful to Minors, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Possession of Marijuana.



Morris J. Poole (Arrested)

DOB: 04/19/1986

Address: 11107 51st Avenue North, St. Petersburg

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor, Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, warrant arrest for Violation of Probation Grand Theft, Possession of Marijuana



Terrell Newsome (Arrested)

DOB: 02/19/1993

Address: 5445 46th Avenue North, St. Petersburg

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor

Widmaer Euzebe (Arrested)

DOB: 06/24/1990

Address: 1253 8th Avenue South, St. Petersburg

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Austin W. Randall III (Arrested)

DOB: 06/10/1989

Address: 4012 Harbor Lake Drive, Lutz

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Marcus F Pugh (Arrested)

DOB: 12/03/1979

Address: 100 Jasper Street, Apartment #3, Largo

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Timothy David Allen (Arrested- Registered Sex Offender)

DOB: 06/19/1979

Address: 3310 68th Avenue North, St. Petersburg

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Orlando J. Alvarez (Arrested)

DOB: 03/23/1984

Address: 5031 48th Avenue North, St. Petersburg

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Jose M. Aguirre (Arrested)

DOB: 10/17/1977

Address: 4722 Town N Country Boulevard, Tampa

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Steven Lusenie (Arrested)

DOB: 05/28/1988

Address: 206 Glade Circle, Largo

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Thomas L. Elder (Arrested)

DOB: 11/14/1995

Address: 8897 Pinion Drive, Lake Worth

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor



Matthew A. Dennison (Arrested)

DOB: 11/14/1968

Address: 153 Margie Street, Palm Harbor

Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor

The suspects were arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.



Our investigative efforts will continue to detect those who are preying on our vulnerable children.



The investigation continues.



Hector Paz booking photograph.





Jared Sanchez booking photograph.





Neil Ganchero booking photograph.





Dennis Felton booking photograph.





Morris Poole booking photograph.





Terrell Newsome booking photograph.





Widmaer Euzebe booking photograph.





Austin Randall booking photograph.





Marcus Pugh booking photograph.





Timothy Allen booking photograph.





Orlando Alvarez booking photograph.





Jose Aguirre booking photograph.





Steven Lusenie booking photograph.





Thomas Elder booking photograph.



Matthew Dennison booking photograph.







