An undercover sting operation, “Operation Heartbreaker 2,” focused on adults soliciting underage children for sexual encounters, has resulted in the arrest of eight men.
The four-month investigation, which followed an initial operation from July 11-14, 2024, targeted individuals who engaged in online conversations attempting to solicit undercover agents posing as juvenile females for sex.
The operation involved a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, FDLE, Gainesville Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Orlando Police Department, Port Orange Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney, Florida’s 7th Circuit.
Four suspects were initially arrested after they attempted to meet a “juvenile” for sex:
- Darrin Belle, 31, Daytona Beach, FL: Human Trafficking of a Minor; Solicitation to Commit Prostitution with Prior Offense; Travel to Meet After Use of Computer to Lure a Child; and Use Computer to Seduce, Solicit, or Lure a Child.
- Wesley Dingman, 80, St. Augustine, FL: Human Trafficking of a Minor; Procure for Prostitution – Solicit Another for Lewdness; Travel to Meet After Use of Computer to Lure a Child; Use Computer to Seduce, Solicit, or Lure a Child; and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
- Joshua Johnson, 40, Ormond Beach, FL: Travel to Meet After Use of Computer to Lure a Child; Use Computer to Seduce, Solicit, or Lure a Child; and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
- Isaiah Williams, 19, Palm Coast, FL: Travel to Meet After Use of Computer to Lure a Child; Use Computer to Seduce, Solicit, or Lure a Child; and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
Following the initial arrests, warrants were obtained for four additional suspects who committed crimes during online conversations with undercover detectives but did not travel to meet the “online juveniles.”
Two of those suspects were located and arrested in Flagler County by the FCSO:
- Andrei Dotin, 34, Palm Coast, FL: Use Computer to Seduce, Solicit, or Lure a Child; Transmission of Material Harmful to Minor by Electronic Device; and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
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