FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Several Fort Bend County agencies worked together to arrest 23 suspects in an online child sex operation sting.
The arrests occurred over a month-long period in May as part of a joint task force, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said they worked to identify and arrest individuals "engaging in the solicitation or online sexual exploitation of children through social media sites."
Agents used social media to communicate with suspects, who then were directed to a location where officers were waiting to make arrests.
Photos: Slideshow of the 23 arrested
"This operation illustrates the value of this coalition," said Sheriff Troy E. Nehls. "The officers involved in these sweeps do an excellent job of attracting these suspects through internet contact and finally arresting some very surprised people. You can tell by the bond amounts that law enforcement agencies, including judges, take these crimes very seriously."
The Missouri City Police Department, the Sheriff's Office, the Katy ISD Police Department and the Sugar Land Police Department all helped make arrests. Other agencies participating in the sweep included: Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Houston Police Department, the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office, the Spring Valley Police Department and the Rosenberg Police Department.
The FBCSO provided the following list of those arrested, including the name, age, hometown, charges and bond totals:
Host: Missouri City Police Department, May 7-8, 2015
• Dewayne Brown, 38, Conroe, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $40,000;
• Brendan Munoz, 30, Houston, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $40,000;
• Jose Romero, 30, Houston, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $40,000; and
• Brandon Webb, 38, Pearland, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Sexual Assault of a Child, $40,000.
Host: Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, May 14-15, 2015
•William Eisenberg, 28, Fresno, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Possession of Marijuana, Outstanding warrant for FMFR, No Bail;
• Mehmet Gozegir, 26, Houston, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $50,000;
• Udoka Nwankwo, 25, Houston, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000;
• Jovane Luna, 30, Spring Branch, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Evading Arrest Detention, and Possession of Marijuana, $83,500;
• Dillon Moy, 25, Splendora, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon;
• Robert Alden, 29, Texas City, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child; and
• Darrell Helton, Sugar Land, Online Solicitation of a Minor, $40,000.
Host: Katy ISD Police Department, May 21-22, 2015
• Ricky Sherman, 59, Pasadena, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000;
• Maurel Watson, Katy, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000;
• Rolando Hernandez, 24, Cypress, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000;
• Stane Moundounga, 33, Houston, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000;
• Samuel Zendejas, 31, Richmond (Parole Violation), Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000;
• Ricky Alley, 56, Sugar Land, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $60,000;
• Mitchell Pelham, 29, Richmond, Online Solicitation of a Child, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Unlawful Carrying Weapon, Prohibited Weapon/Collapsible Baton, Possession of Marijuana, $87,000; and
• Chad Harbour, 30, Cleveland, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Possession of Marijuana, $81,000.
Host: Sugar Land, May 28-29, 2015
• Emmanuel Odoh, 30, Houston, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Possession of Marijuana, $81,000;
• Mark Duesterberg, 33, Spring, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, Explosive charge possibly to follow, Possession of a Controlled Substance, four counts of Possession of a Dangerous Drug, Firearm Smuggling, Theft of Firearm, Prohibited Weapon, $113,000;
• Zahir Nobels, 19, Katy, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000; and
• Yader Larios, 38, Katy, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child, $80,000.
Of the 23 men arrested, eight have posted bond, including Brown, Munoz, Webb, Gozegir, Alley, Pelham, Helton and Hernandez. The rest of the suspects remain in the Fort Bend County Jail.
