24 Charged In Child Sex Crime Sting, Sex Offender Crackdown: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — The Polk County Sheriff's office has arrested or issued arrest warrants for 24 people accused of child sex crimes or sex offenders violating state law.

During an eight-day undercover investigation in February, Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives, along with the Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, and Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, charged eight suspects with crimes related to accused child predators.

The suspects communicated with and solicited people who they thought were children or adults who had access to children online. Five suspects showed up at an undercover location in Polk County offering to pay hundreds of dollars to have sex with who they thought was a child – they were charged with human trafficking, a life felony, the sheriff said.

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for three other suspects who committed crimes against who they thought were children online; two of those suspects are in custody, and one is still at large.

“We conduct proactive operations like this to help keep our children safe. I’m so thankful for our detectives and partnering agencies for their hard work to keep our children safe from predators who sexually abuse, groom, and corrupt our children," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "Parents need to be ‘all up in their child’s business’ when it comes to electronic devices that give them access to online gaming, mobile applications, texting, or the internet. Check their devices regularly, and ensure parental controls are enabled to keep predators like these away from your kids.”

Detectives filed a total of 27 felony charges against these eight suspects:

Larry William Hayes, 41, of Plant City, who sent a social media message in response to an ad posted online by an undercover detective. Hayes said he would pay $250 to perform sex acts on a child. Hayes also sent several explicit images of his genitalia to a detective. Hayes traveled to the undercover location and was arrested. He told detectives that he is retired from the U.S. Army, and is married with three children.

Hayes was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor, use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Edmundo Dasilva, 37, of Holly Springs, North Carolina, replied to an online ad posted by police and said he would pay $60 to perform sex acts on the child. He said he was 18 years old. Dasilva was arrested at the undercover location with two condoms in his pocket. He is married and works for Homeland Security as a Transportation Security officer.

Dasilva was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor, use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Nelson Louis, 29, of Tampa, responded to the online ad and said he “just wanted to have fun before he went to work.” He agreed to pay $100 for a half hour of sex with the child. He went to the undercover location and was arrested.

Louis was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor, use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Hasan Abu Halemeh, 27, of Brandon, offered to pay $225 to perform sex acts on the child. He asked if the girl was a virgin and if he would be “her first.” He went to the undercover location and was arrested.

Abu Halemeh was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor, use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Willie Merrill, 45, of Plant City, said he would pay $80 to perform sex acts on the child. He went to the meeting site with the cash and a condom in his pockets. After being arrested, detectives learned Merrill is a registered sex offender for a 2005 conviction of statutory rape in Georgia. He was previously arrested by PCSO in 2017 during an undercover prostitution investigation, for which he spent 364 days in jail.

Merrill was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with: human trafficking, use of computer to solicit guardian, traveling to meet a minor, use of two-way communication device to commit a felony, attempted traveling to meet a minor and attempted use of computer to solicit guardian.

Brandon Ray, 34, of Mulberry, said he would pay $100 to perform sex acts on the child. He repeatedly asked for photos of the child and also said, “I’ve watched enough to catch a predator show on TV” and also said, “Grady don’t play.” Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest and took him into custody on March 7. He told detectives he is a bus mechanic employed by Polk County Public Schools.

Ray was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with use of computer to solicit guardian and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Manuel Canasi, 45, of Land O’ Lakes, offered to pay $100 for a half hour alone with the child. He tried several times to travel to the undercover location but was unable due to his job and other family obligations (he is married and has three children). Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest and he was taken into custody in Pasco County.

Canasi is charged with: use of computer to solicit guardian and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

These suspects are wanted on arrest warrants for charges:

John Adams, 61, of Dunedin, said he would pay to perform sex acts on the child. Adams is charged with: use of computer to solicit guardian and use of two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Anyone with information on Adams’ whereabouts can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400 TIPS (8477).

Detectives also charged 16 registered sexual offenders in February 2024 for failure to comply with registration laws and/or violation of probation. Each of these suspects have prior sex offenses involving a child, the sheriff's office said.

These registered sexual offenders were charged:

Robert Miranda, 32, of Titusville, was recently arrested in Brevard County on a Polk County warrant for attempted kidnapping (of a child), indecent exposure, and lewd and lascivious exhibition. He was charged with 3 counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Rodney Van David Williams, 47, of Plant City, was arrested for failing to register his address with PCSO and the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with 2 counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Kevin Hairston, 31, of Auburndale, is on probation until 2027. He was arrested for failing to report Internet use; he’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws, and violation of probation.

Vondale Barnes, 45, of Lakeland, is on probation until 2035. He was arrested for failing to update his address and maintain a valid license with the Florida DHSMV. Barnes was charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws, and violation of probation.

Juanel Mikulak, 36, of Davenport, was arrested for failing to register a vehicle and maintain a valid license with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with 2 counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Edwin Pagan Gonzalez, 47, of Lake Alfred, was arrested in Orange County on a Polk warrant for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Joseph Coppins, 57, of Eagle Lake, was arrested for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV. He’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Brenda Kay Barton, 56, of Clermont, was arrested for failing to update her Florida license with the Florida DHSMV; she’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Timothy Demoura, 39, of Lake Wales, was arrested for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Mitchell Leo Thurston, 39, of Davenport, was arrested for failing to update his Florida license; he’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Barbara Bernice Griffith, 49, of Auburndale, was arrested for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; she’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Homer Dewayne Rudd, 71, of Bartow, was arrested for failing to register within a required month; he’s been charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Mark Osgood, 24, of Lakeland, was arrested for failing to register his address and update his license; he’s been charged with 2 counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

John Camarena, 34, of Winter Haven, was arrested for failing to update his license; he’s been charged with 2 counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

James Macarthur Johnson, 39, is at large and wanted for failing to report his residence to PCSO and the Florida DHSMV; he has a warrant for his arrest for 2 counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Antone Renar Starks, 48, is at large and wanted for failing to update his license with the Florida DHSMV and has a warrant for his arrest for failure to comply with sex offender registration laws.