Sixteen men were arrested on child pornography and other charges, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Detectives said they made the arrests during an undercover investigation called "Operation Guardians of Innocence."
"Our detectives are the very best in the business. We fiercely track down and arrest those who manufacture, collect, trade or distribute child pornography,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The investigation was conducted during the month of September, authorities said. Two men remain at large, detectives said.
“When it comes to the protection of our children, we will leave no stone unturned," Judd said.
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Paul Robak, 60, of Lakeland, was arrested without incident and charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography.
Daniel Crawford Jr., 36, of Bartow, was arrested without incident and charged with 21 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promotion of child pornography. Detectives said in a news release that “further forensic analysis has been conducted on Crawford's electronic devices, and he has been charged with an additional 100 counts of possession of child pornography."
Ronald Usiewicz, 69, of Kissimmee, was arrested without incident and charged with 44 counts of possession of child pornography. The release said Usiewicz had a previous criminal history of theft, and further forensic analysis was conducted on Usiewicz's electronic devices. He was charged with an additional 100 counts of possession of child pornography, detectives said.
Anthony Schulte, 30, of Frostproof, was arrested and charged with 15 counts of possession of child pornography. The release said Schulte had a previous criminal history that includes grand theft, tampering with physical evidence, possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription drugs without a prescription, drug paraphernalia, armed trespassing, obscenity and disorderly conduct.
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Miguel Ruiz, 41, of Davenport, was arrested without incident and charged with three counts of possession of child pornography and one count promotion of child pornography. Ruiz worked at Disney as an attractions attendant, and had been an employee for 15 years, deputies said.
Kyle Ghita, 28, of Davenport, was arrested and charged with 61 counts of possession of child pornography and one count promotion of child pornography. Deputies said Ghita worked as a bus driver at Disney for three years.
Jose Figueroa, 37, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of promotion of child pornography. The release said further forensic analysis was conducted on Figueroa's electronic devices, and he was charged with an additional 108 counts of possession of child pornography.
Andrew Williamson, 39, of Lakeland, was arrested and charged with 100 counts of possession of child pornography. Further forensic analysis of Williamson's electronic devices resulted in an additional 100 counts of possession of child pornography. He has a previous criminal history, including giving false information to pawn dealer, dealing in stolen property and battery, detectives said.
David Sorensen, 40, Mulberry, was arrested and charged with 23 counts of possession of child pornography.
Ronald Desmarais, 68, of Lake Alfred was arrested and charged with 36 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promotion of child pornography.
John Escobar, 26, of Lakeland, was arrested and charged with 100 counts of possession of child pornography.
Calvin Barnes Jr. of Mulberry, was arrested and charged with 33 counts of possession of child pornography and 35 counts promotion of child pornography.
Charlie Lee Cook Jr., 29, of Lakeland, was arrested for one count of transmission of harmful materials to a minor and one count unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Detectives said Cook was communicating with a 15-year-old girl and offered to send nude images of himself to her.
Jerret Alan Carter, 22, of Lakeland, was arrested for violation of parole. He was arrested in 2016 by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child.
Shannon Wright, 42, of Fort Meade, was arrested on charges of failure to comply with sex offender registration. Detectives said he was sending inappropriate messages to a minor.
Michael Longoria, 38, of Lakeland, was arrested by Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies on a Polk County warrant for two counts of failure to comply with sex offender laws in Polk County.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said they have an arrest warrant out for Marvin Hewitt, 31, of Winter Haven, who is accused of failing to comply with sex offender laws. Hewitt remains at large.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said they have an arrest warrant out for Derricko Williams, 41, of Lake Alfred, for failure to comply with sex offender laws. He remains at large.
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