Latest news with #HorizonElementarySchool
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
16 arrested in child predator sting operation during Bike Week
The Port Orange Police Department has released the arrest results of Operation Full Throttle, a sting operation that targeted accused child predators during Bike Week 2025. The operation targeted accused predators who police say tried to engage in unlawful sexual activity and exploitation of children. The department reports that the operation resulted in 16 arrested, including an employee at Horizon Elementary School. The arrests are detailed below. Frank Hills Jr., 24 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Darryl Barrs, 38 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Larry Dye, 40 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Jeffery Summers, 51 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Owen Walker, 57 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child, engaging in human trafficking services, possession of cocaine and trafficking in fentanyl O'Neil Bryce, 28 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Maurice Gainey, 34 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child John Long, 55 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Lauren Chesler, 29 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Guy Vitale, 65 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Miguel Fuentes, 42 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Caleb Wilford, 29 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child and distributing obscene material to a minor Harry Pierre, 29 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Jeffrey Shev, 70 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Joseph De Lustro, 32 - Charged with obscene communication with a minor-traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and obscene communication-use of a computer to solicit/lure a child Police say another suspect, Joseph Lugo, was also arrested by the Pasco County Sheriff's Department after he contacted and solicited an ICAC task force member. The South Daytona Police Department also filed additional charges against him. Those charges were not immediately available. Operation Full Throttle was done in collaboration with numerous other law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security and police departments from Lake City, South Daytona, Orlando, Ormond Beach New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater, as well as the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Teacher among 16 people arrested in internet sex sting targeting predators seeking children
A Horizon Elementary School teacher was among 16 people arrested in an undercover internet sting conducted during Bike Week to lure predators who exploit children for sex, the Port Orange Police Department said. The Port Orange school teacher was taken into custody when he thought he was traveling to meet a child he met on the internet for sex, but ran into undercover officers posing as children, authorities said. Jeffery Summers, 51, was charged with obscene communication with a minor and traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child. He was additionally charged with obscene communication/use of a computer to solicit/lure a child. Among the 16 arrested was also one woman, Lauren Chesler, 29, charged with obscene communication with a minor/traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child. She was additionally charged with obscene communication/use of a computer to solicit/lure a child. Port Orange police said they carried out the Bike Week internet sting dubbed, Operation Full Throttle, targeting predators who seek sexual activity with children. Investigators who combat crimes against children normally pose as children on the internet and engage in sexual conversation with suspects who travel to meet who they believe are children. The operation was conducted with the help of Homeland Security Investigations, the Lake City Police Department, South Daytona Police Department, Orlando Police Department, Ormond Beach Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, St. Johns County and Pasco County Sheriff's Office, according to Port Orange police. The other 14 arrested include Frank Hills, Jr., 24, Daryl Barrs, 38, Larry Dye, 40, Owen Walker, 57, O'Neil Bryce, 28, Maurice Gainey, 34, John Long, 55, Guy Vitale, 65, Miguel Fuentes, 42, Caleb Wilford, 29, Harry Pierre, 29, Jeffrey Shrev, 70, Joseph de Lustro, 43, and Joseph Lugo. All were charged with with obscene communication with a minor-/raveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child, and obscene communication/use of a computer to solicit/lure a child. Walker was additionally charged with engaging in human trafficking services, possession of cocaine, and trafficking in fentanyl. Lugo was arrested in Pasco County and faces additional charges from South Daytona police. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida teacher arrested in sting for traveling to meet child for sex
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bike Week child predator sting leads to Port Orange school employee arrest
A Bike Week sting operation led to the arrest of a Port Orange school paraprofessional on allegations of inappropriate interactions with a minor. Sixteen people were arrested during 'Operation Full Throttle,' which targeted alleged child predators. Among them was Jeffery Summers, who worked at Horizon Elementary School. Summers, 51, was arrested on two charges: traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child and soliciting a child for unlawful sex. Volusia County Schools confirmed Summers worked at Horizon Elementary School. The district said he did not teach a specific grade but worked in many classrooms because he worked with exceptional student education, or special needs students. A school district spokesperson said a crisis team was on campus Monday and members were available to students who needed support or counseling following the arrests. On top of an investigation by the Port Orange Police Department, the school district is also conducting its own internal professional standards investigation. The situation made many parents feel uneasy. 'You're just like in this unknown. Like do I talk to my kids? Have they had any incidents?' said Erica Mitchell. 'I was actually skeptical about bringing my kid to school until I knew more about what was going on,' said Reinold Lujan. The school district said Summers is not allowed on any campus or to have interaction with students. Records show Summers bailed out Saturday. Eyewitness News is still waiting for more details about this case from Port Orange police. On Monday morning, the school district sent the following statement: 'We can confirm that the man arrested is a para professional at Horizon Elementary School. 'Most details will need to be provided by POPD since it's an active investigation. VCS has opened an internal professional standards investigation on the individual as well. Next steps will be determined by the findings of those investigations. ''Our staff is working with law enforcement to ensure their investigation can move forward appropriately,' said Sarah Lux, Spokesperson for Volusia County Schools. 'The individual has been placed on leave and will have no interaction with students moving forward. Further action will be determined based on the findings of the investigation.' ''Our priority every single day is student safety. Mental health resources will be available at Horizon Elementary School tomorrow to ensure we can assist any students or staff who need support,' said Sarah Lux, spokesperson for VCS.' The following is a letter sent to parents and read by the principal over a phone message: 'Dear Horizon Elementary School families, 'This is Principal Johnson with an important message. This morning, Volusia County Schools was made aware that a staff member at Horizon Elementary was arrested for inappropriate interactions with a minor. We take these charges very seriously and are working with the Port Orange Police Department to ensure the investigation can move forward without delay. 'Our most critical priority every day is the safety of our students. The staff member has been placed on leave while the POPD conducts their investigation. VCS is also conducting an internal professional standards investigation. The staff member will not be allowed on any VCS campus and will have no further interaction with students until the investigations conclude and a determination can be made. 'A crisis team will be on campus Monday to assist any students who need support or counseling. 'Thank you for your understanding on this matter.' Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
