29 arrested in HSI Phoenix, multiagency operation targeting alleged child sex and human traffickers
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Last week, results from an undercover operation dubbed “April Fools” aimed at targeting alleged sexual predators was announced by local law enforcement in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
HSI joined the Phoenix Police Department Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEaT) along with the Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale and Surprise Police Departments, Arizona Department of Public Safety, FBI, and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for Operation April Fools. The undercover operation targeting the demand for child sex crimes and human trafficking netted 29 male arrests. Throughout the operational period, undercover detectives placed ads on websites commonly sought out by suspects seeking illegal sex acts with minors. The suspects allegedly solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested.
The following 29 suspects solicited various sex acts include:
| Name | Age | Report/Agency | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Angel Compian | 28 | 2022-500117 Chandler PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Furnishing Harmful Items to a Minor |
| Christopher Rodriguez | 49 | 2022-0403703 Surprise PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| Ermino Camilo- Sanchez | 27 | 2022-591530 Phoenix PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Money Laundering |
| Robert Armendariz | 52 | 2022-42841 Chandler PD | Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Jose Orozco | 21 | 2021-08296 Scottsdale PD | Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Kevin Bock | 56 | 2022-08310 Scottsdale PD | Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Lional Jim | 33 | 2022-82722 Mesa PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| Ernest Villa | 41 | 2022-42880 Chandler PD | Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Jan Michalecko | 66 | 2022-595271 Phoenix PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| Angel Emilio Bowen | 23 | 2022-595527 Phoenix PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| Joseph Michael Robinson | 33 | 2022-083256 Mesa PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual conduct with a Minor |
| Jonathan D Rogers | 34 | 2022-083310 Mesa PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| James Ervin Fulton | 56 | 2022-083381 Mesa PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| Sebastian Valencio | 37 | 2022-08394 Scottsdale PD | Aggravated Luring of a Minor of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor |
| Jesus DeLeon | 30 | 2022-08397 Scottsdale PD | Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Ian Douglas | 35 | 2022-08401 Scottsdale PD | Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Joseph LaLicata | 28 | 2022-600158 Phoenix PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Money Laundering |
| Willie Guadron | 30 | 2022-0404113 Surprise PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering, Possession of Dangerous Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia |
| Franklin Meza | 33 | 2022-22022096 DPS | Child Sex Trafficking, Money Laundering and Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation |
| Daniel Dorame Valenzuela | 34 | 2022-500122 Chandler PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Furnishing Harmful Items to a Minor |
| Bryan Gutierrez | 38 | 2022-601466 Phoenix PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Money Laundering |
| Robert Avril | 30 | 2022-08290 Scottsdale PD | Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Trevor Kim Bartschi | 32 | 2022-08530 Scottsdale PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Attempted Sex Conduct with a Minor, Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Money Laundering |
| Jesse Macias | 38 | 2022-08535 Scottsdale PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Alexis Blue Juan | 30 | 2022-85092 Mesa PD | Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Sergio Moran | 42 | 2022-500124 Chandler PD | Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Hessie Stewart | 28 | 2022-500125 Chandler PD | Pandering, Attempted Control of an Illegal Enterprise |
| Carl Gibson | 60 | 2022-22040280 Surprise PD | Child Sex Trafficking, Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor |
| Aram Cheesebrow | 44 | 2022-08465 Scottsdale PD | Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Resisting Arrest |
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
HSI also encourages the public to report suspected sex trafficking or any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, 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 NCMEC, 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. 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 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 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 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.
Learn more about HSI Arizona’s commitment to combatting child exploitation at @HSIPhoenix.