Latest news with #undercoveroperation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
McKees Rocks man pleads guilty to setting up meeting with FBI agent posing as minor
A McKees Rocks man accused of trying to coerce a minor into sexual activity pleaded guilty in federal court. The United States Attorney's Office said police first encountered Ryan Peters, 35, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about his online activity. Investigators said they found a cell phone in a cat litter box in the hallway and a laptop. Child pornography was found on those devices. Police said Peters tried to set up a meeting to engage in sexual activity with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl from Pittsburgh but was actually an undercover FBI agent. He allegedly asked for sexual images and tried to set up multiple meetings. Officers took Peters into custody after he arrived at the predetermined meeting place. He pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday. Peters will be sentenced on Nov. 12. He faces a total maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cedar City man arrested for allegedly sending sexual photos to officer posing as 12-year-old
CEDAR CITY, Utah () — A Cedar City man was arrested after allegedly sending inappropriate photos to an undercover officer posing as a 12-year-old girl. Joshua Henry Quist, 27, is facing two charges of criminal solicitation-sexual exploitation of a minor and two charges of distributing materials harmful to a minor. According to arrest documents, a Cedar City officer was performing undercover operations on a website named ChatIB as a 12-year-old female. On May 27, 2025, a male with the screen name 'Cedar City' contacted his undercover account. Kanab sex offender arrested on 50 felonies for sexual exploitation of a minor The account description said that 'Cedar City' was a 27-year-old male in Utah. During a conversation with the undercover officer, documents say he was 'made aware and acknowledged' that he was speaking with a 12-year-old girl. At this point, he exchanged phone numbers with the officer, whom he believed was the minor. Police were able to verify Quist's identity through his phone number and a photo he shared of his face. According to police, during text conversations, the officer sent a fake photo of a 12-year-old (that was in reality a female Cedar City officer with an age filter) to Quist. In response, he shared a picture of his face and an inappropriate sexual photo of himself. Utah judge's sentence for child pornography offender sparks controversy, the court's response At this point, Quist asked for sexual photos of the 12-year-old girl, and the undercover officer declined. The next day, he would send another sexual picture of himself in a text and ask for pictures again, according to documents. On May 29, the Cedar City Police Department arrested Quist. According to documents, he admitted that he was chatting with who he believed to be a 12-year-old and that he had shared inappropriate pictures. He also confessed to the officer that he had 'done this previously 10 times to other minors.' Quist was booked into the Iron County Jail on May 29 and is currently being held without bail. South Jordan man apprehended after fleeing from traffic stop, shelter in place order lifted Cedar City man arrested for allegedly sending sexual photos to officer posing as 12-year-old Charges filed against Utah man who allegedly messaged missing 15-year-old before her disappearance Weber County School District considering tax increase Hill Air Force Base's Mazer Chapel reopens after 2 years of renovations Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
Ypsilanti man faces federal charges for soliciting 15-year-old on social media
A Ypsilanti man is facing federal charges, including child pornography, after an investigation that started with an undercover officer who was purporting to be a teenage girl online. A federal criminal complaint accusing Luke David Hanna of Ypsilanti of violations of sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography was filed May 8 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The incidents cited happened during 2024 in Washtenaw County. The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant was filed by a Department of Homeland Security special agent from the agency's Grand Rapids office. The special agent related conversations that took place with an undercover officer on Reddit, an online messaging service. As part of those conversations, arrangements were made to meet up with the undercover officer, who was posing as a minor girl, in Lansing. No one showed up, but there was a follow-up conversation that included "I got scared. I saw a car following you. Sorry to bail." Based on this conduct and conversations with another minor, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Hanna's home and his phone. That's when officers learned of conversations and explicit videos exchanged via Snapchat, an online social media app, with an actual 15-year-old girl who lived in Michigan. Authorities were able to identify the teen and spoke with her as part of the investigation.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Milwaukee undercover child sex trafficking operation, 3 men charged
The Brief Prosecutors charged three men with attempting to solicit a child for prostitution. Their arrests were part of an undercover sex trafficking operation. Court filings said all three men believed they were chatting with a 16-year-old girl. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County prosecutors have charged three men with attempting to solicit a child for prostitution as part of an undercover sex trafficking operation. What they're saying Milwaukee police and the Human Trafficking Task Force of Greater Milwaukee conducted an undercover operation to target people who were looking to have sex with underage girls. Detectives and task force members posted an online advertisement with a picture of a teen. An undercover officer, posing as a 16-year-old girl, replied to chats. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Prosecutors said 48-year-old Jose Juan Velazquez Medina of Oconomowoc, 38-year-old Domingo Cansino of Milwaukee and 30-year-old Donovan Murrell of Milwaukee each chatted with who they thought was a 16-year-old girl and made arrangements to pay for sex acts. Cansino also offered to pick up the supposed teen from school. All three men were arrested at an apartment building near Layton Boulevard and Pierce Street on the city's south side. Two of the three men showed up with the money to cover the arranged payment for sex. The Source Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Portsmouth track coach charged with attempting to pay for sex with minor
An assistant track coach at Portsmouth High School is facing charges he attempted to pay cash for sex with a 14-year-old female who was an undercover federal agent last month at a Maine hotel. Joseph Auger, 27, of Portsmouth, was charged April 25 with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor, alleging he 'knowingly' attempted to 'entice, obtain, patronize and solicit by any means a 14-year-old girl ... to engage in a commercial sex act.' According to court documents, Auger allegedly gave $150 in cash to federal agents at a Best Western hotel in South Portland, Maine, according to a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Maine by HSI Special Agent Abby Mathieu. No minors were involved in the sting operation, the affidavit states. Portsmouth schools Superintendent Zach McLaughlin notified the high school community that Auger had been fired from coaching job on April 30, the same day a federal agent notified school officials of their investigation. Auger is a former athlete at Portsmouth High School, where he ran track. 'Effective immediately, Joseph Auger, an assistant coach from our track team, has been removed from his position due to a legal matter that has come to our attention,' McLaughlin's message said. 'While we understand that news like this can be concerning, I want to assure you that the current legal investigation is not directly connected to the coach's work with our students or athletic program. We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students.' According to the affidavit, on or around April 24, law enforcement agents posted an advertisement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts, containing images of what appeared to be two young females who were 'Ready 2 have some fun,' among other sexually-charged phrases. The ad contained a contact phone number monitored by law enforcement agents, and an undercover agent 'used it to communicate with potential sex buyers, including Joseph Auger,' the affidavit says. Agents monitoring the line pretended to be the sister of a 14-year-old girl available to perform sex acts for money. The affidavit alleges Auger texted the number from one phone saying it would be 'messed up' to have sexual relations with a 14-year-old, but then allegedly texted the number from a different phone and arranged to meet the girl. The affidavit claims Auger went to the Best Western Hotel in South Portland after he was given the address by agents pretending to be the sister of the 14-year-old. 'The defendant arrived at the hotel in a Toyota Tundra, NH registration MONKEE,' the affidavit says. 'The defendant parked his vehicle at the front of the hotel, walked around the backside of the hotel and approached (an undercover agent) who was standing in front of the hotel room. The defendant confirmed he was there for the minor female. He said he had the money and pulled money from his front pocket and gave it to (the undercover agent).' The affidavit says Auger was given a hotel key to the hotel room. Law enforcement then arrested him and took him into custody, later locating his phone in the vehicle. Auger was escorted to a conference room in the hotel, where he was read his Miranda Rights and signed a form agreeing to waive his rights and speak with law enforcement, the affidavit says. He allegedly told investigators he communicated with advertisements on the website prior to that day. 'The defendant initially stated he was going to save the 14-year-old, but later stated that he wanted to have sex with the 14-year-old girl and brought the $150 as payment for a quick visit,' the affidavit says. 'He stated this is the first time he has tried to have sex with a minor female.' An attempt to reach Auger's attorney, William Bly, for comment was unsuccessful. A recent court filing shows federal prosecutors requesting an extension to indict Auger, with responses due by May 22. pfeely@
