11-03-2025
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
