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FDLE Agents arrest two suspects in separate cases on child solicitation, pornography

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Orlando Cyber Crime Task Force Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have arrested two suspects in separate and unrelated cases on charges related to child sex solicitation and child pornography.

On Tuesday, agents arrested Kieran Oscar Sosa, 28, of 15 Presidential Lane, Palm Coast, for traveling to engage in sexual conduct with a child and attempted lewd and lascivious behavior. Luis Antonio Rivera, 71, of 2715 Ranch House Court, Orlando, was arrested today on 15 counts of possession of child pornography in a separate and unrelated case.

In the Sosa investigation, an undercover agent posed as a 14-year-old female when Sosa initiated a conversation through an Internet website. Sosa asked the online persona if she were interested in a sexual encounter and told the juvenile he would come to her residence. He had planned to have sex while the juvenile’s mother was at work. When Sosa arrived at the agreed upon location, he was taken into police custody.

Sosa was taken to the Seminole County Jail on a $60,000 bond. The State Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial Circuit, will prosecute.

Rivera was taken into custody after agents executed a search warrant at his home and conducted a forensic preview of a laptop. During the preview, agents found evidence of child pornography. The files had been downloaded from the Internet and showed images of children who appeared to be younger than 10 years old. The laptop was seized for further forensic analysis.

Rivera was taken to the Orange County Jail on a no-bond status. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial Circuit.

FDLE arrests Tallahassee man for intellectual property and computer crimes

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Andru Rae’sion Reed, 21, on offenses against intellectual property and offenses against users of computer systems, both third degree felonies, after the Florida Department of Revenue reported external hard drives had been stolen.

FDLE began its investigation in late March at the request of the Department of Revenue. On March 30, agents spoke with Reed at his home, 1834 Jackson Bluff Road, Tallahassee and located four external hard drives.

The four hard drives contained confidential taxpayer information. Reed indicated that he had connected the hard drives to his Xbox to download video games without knowing what was on the hard drives. At this time in the investigation, it appears that the information on the hard drives was not used or further shared, but computer forensic examinations continue.

Reed was arrested this morning at his home without incident and booked into the Leon County Jail. The State Attorney’s Office, 2nd judicial circuit, will prosecute this case.

FDLE Agents arrest Tampa man on more than 100 counts related to child pornography

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Jesus Riol, 45, of 8619 Cottonway Lane, Tampa, on 100 counts of child pornography and 5 counts of transmission of child pornography.

During an investigation launched in the Fall of 2017, agents identified a residence in Tampa suspected of distributing child pornography. A subpoena was issued for the account and further investigation showed several file names consistent with child pornography. Upon executing a search warrant at the home, investigators conducted a forensic analysis of several electronic devices and found more than 1,100 files containing images or videos with child pornography. Most of the files were of infants and toddlers being sexually abused by adults.

Riol was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail on a $787,500 bond. He will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Law enforcement leaders graduate from Florida Leadership Academy

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The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the graduation of 40 first-line supervisors from the Florida Leadership Academy on April 13, 2018. These graduates serve in leadership roles representing 31 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.

The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the Florida Sheriff’s Association in Tallahassee. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Florida Leadership Academy. The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.

The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, which is housed within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.

Below is a list of graduates from the 41st Florida Leadership Academy.

Joseph Abollo             Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
Molly Akin                  Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Anthony Allaire          Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Laura Anstead            Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
Saundra Batie             Florida Highway Patrol
Benjamin Benedict     Leon County Sheriff’s Office
Cordis Blackwood      Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Vincent Boccio           Tallahassee Police Department
Bradford Bowlin        Lake County Sheriff’s Office
James Buchbinder       Ocala Police Department
Bartell Clemons          Tallahassee Police Department
Chad Cutkomp           Florida Department of Corrections
Jessica Davenport       Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Philip Di Gaetano       Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
Nitza Dominguez        Miami-Dade Police Department
Daniel Eberly III         Coconut Creek Police Department
Trish Eldridge             Florida Sheriff’s Association
Natalie Gillespie          St. Augustine Beach Police Department
Russell Gordon           Bradford County Sheriff’s Office
Monica Gray               Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Todd Greene               Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Tyler Harrison             Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Stephen Jencks            Bay County Sheriff’s Office
Darren Karp                Coconut Creek Police Department
Scott Kinney               Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
Dustin McGee             Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
William Mittwede       St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
Joel Murphey              Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
Luis Negrete               Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Jarritt Negri                 Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Deanna Phillips           Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
George Price III          Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Keith Quick                Venice Police Department
Orlando Roman          Orange County Corrections Department
Jennifer Scavotto        Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Leonard Tyree II         Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
David Webb Jr.           Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
David Williams           Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Tanesha Williams        Florida Sheriff’s Association
Frank Zadnik III         Ocala Police Department

Orlando man arrested, charged with 6 counts of child pornography

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando Cybercrime Task Force today arrested Carlos Rodriguez-Fernandez, 47, of 5509 Bryson Drive, Orlando, on 6 counts of possession of child pornography.

During an investigation of files suspected of child pornography, agents discovered an IP address in March advertising hundreds of files of known or suspected child pornography. Agents determined the IP address was associated with the Bryson Drive address where Rodriguez-Fernandez resides. During the execution of a search warrant, agents conducted a forensic preview of digital devices and found evidence of child pornography.

Rodriguez-Fernandez was taken to the Orange County Jail on a no-bond status. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 9th Judicial Circuit.

MSD Commission launches Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Website

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The MSD Commission created a website page for information on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, including posts of upcoming commission meetings.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission was established during the 2018 legislative session and is staffed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The legislation represents a comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing issues presented by the tragedy that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.   The Commission was formed to specifically analyze information from the school shooting and other mass violence incidents in the state and address recommendations and system improvements.

To visit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission website, click here.

FDLE announces charges in Madison kidnapping case

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with the Madison Police Department, the FBI and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced charges against Jason Lenard Hayling, 44, in connection with the 2016 kidnapping of 7-year-old Bryan Williamson. The child was kidnapped from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016 between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and dropped off in Jacksonville between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. on April 18, 2016.

Hayling was arrested out of state in February 2018 for an unrelated Jacksonville capital sexual battery case. FDLE agents obtained a search warrant for his DNA after noticing similarities between the Madison kidnapper and Hayling.

“After nearly two years, it gives me relief to tell you that we know who the kidnapper is and that this dangerous predator is no longer a threat to our community,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez. “Observant investigators with unwavering dedication along with DNA helped solve this case.”

“Madison Police Department officers and investigators worked tirelessly on this case,” said Madison Police Chief Reggie Alexander. “I appreciate the hard work of investigators who were determined to find this child predator.”

“This case reflects the relentless efforts of the FBI and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to identify those who prey on our children,” said Special Agent James VanPelt of the FBI’s Jacksonville Division. “I am hopeful that the people of Madison County, Jacksonville and everywhere in between can breathe a little easier tonight knowing that Jason Lenard Hayling is no longer an unknown threat to our communities.”

“As the Sheriff of Madison County, I am always impressed with the depth and perseverance of all our local and state officers as they continue to pursue these predators and protect our communities,” said Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart. “This case is an example of a job well done.”

Hayling remains in the Duval County Jail at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility and has been charged for the Madison kidnapping.

Following the 2016 abduction, investigators and analysts from FDLE, Madison PD, FBI and Madison County SO viewed hundreds of hours of video from homes and businesses, processed dozens of citizen calls from a tip line and distributed flyers throughout Florida and southern Georgia in working to solve this case.

If you have any information regarding this case or Jason Lenard Hayling, please contact FDLE at (800) 226-5630.

Investigators to provide update on Madison kidnapping case

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MEDIA ADVISORY

FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez will provide an update on the investigation into the 2016 abduction of a 7-year-old boy from Madison, Florida.

When: Friday, April 6, 2018

Time: 11 a.m.

Where: Madison County Emergency Management Building

Address: 1083 SW Harvey Greene Drive, Madison, Florida

Who: FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez, Madison Police Chief Reggie Alexander,
FBI Special Agent James VanPelt and Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart.

What: Investigators will provide an update on the investigation of the abduction and recovery of
Bryan Williamson from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016.

FDLE destroys digital equipment linked to child pornography

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force joined together with the Regional Domestic Security Task Force Bomb Squad to explode computer equipment today that was used to view illicit images of children.

“Today’s event shows the dedication local, state and federal agencies have when it comes to protecting innocent children from predators,” said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “If your child has an online presence, parents need to be extremely cautious and engaged to keep their children safe.”

“In today’s social media environment material can be viewed over and over again. It never seems to disappear,” said Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons. “It is good to know that this particular equipment and material will never again be used to view child pornography.”

All pieces of evidence destroyed during “Operation Final Disposition” are from cases that have been prosecuted and are not subject to appeal. After a case is finished, evidence destruction is completed in a law-enforcement environment without any fanfare. But as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, FDLE and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office opted for public destruction in the hope of bringing attention to child abuse and how we can all work together to prevent it.

Evidence that was able to be wiped clean is being donated to the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a child advocacy center serving victims of child abuse. Gulf Coast Kid’s House provides a place where child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, medical and mental health professionals’ work together under one roof to provide comprehensive services to abuse victims.

To learn more about preventing child abuse visit, The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida at preventchildabusefl.org.

If you suspect someone of downloading or distributing child pornography, please call FDLE Pensacola at (800) 226-8574.

To learn more about keeping your family safe online, visit Secure Florida at secureflorida.org.

FDLE upgrades Florida’s Sex Offender Registry

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FDLE unveiled Florida’s updated Sex Offender Registry, improving ease of use for citizens and making the webpage mobile friendly.

The new look makes it easier for citizens to search for offenders by name, living in neighborhoods, and on college campuses.  Reporters and citizens can also access Florida sex offender laws, safety tips and other state registries.  To access the newly designed registry, click here.