Local

14, including former cop, arrested in Volusia County child sex sting

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County deputies arrested 14 people in an operation targeted at men trying to meet children for sex.
 
Sheriff Ben Johnson said Wednesday that among those arrested in the week-long Operation Spring Cleaning was a former deputy who brought a gun and pornography along for what he thought was going to be an encounter with a young girl.
 
Investigators said 51-year-old Brian McRee, a former deputy with Nassau County Sheriff's Department, also had a bottle of liquor, a digital camera and a thumb drive with pictures of children on it.

"We're trying to find out who these other children are," said Johnson. "We're going after them for those thumb drives. We're doing whatever we can to take this individual off the street."

Investigators said McRee was arrested for a similar offense in the past.

McRee and the other men showed up at a decoy house after an online conversation led them to believe they would be meeting a child for sex.
 
Officials said McRree worked for three law enforcement agencies, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He now faces more than 50 counts of possession of child porn along with charges for traveling to meet a minor.

Johnson said law enforcement sex stings are working because they are seeing fewer arrests.
 
"When we first started these things it was like shooting fish in a barrel. Over the years it starting to cut down some," said Johnson.

The 14 defendants arrested in Operation Volusia Spring Cleaning and their charges are as follows: (information from Volusia County Sheriff's Department)

Steven Citro, 26 (DOB: 12/25/1988), South Daytona

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Zachrey Dawson, 23 (DOB: 12/9/1990), Deltona

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications
  • Prohibited use of computer transmissions
  • Warrant: FTA reference possession of marijuana

Mahr Mohammedd Ahmed Elbiltagy, 31 (DOB: 7/8/1983), Kissimmee

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Franklin Gaitan, 40 (DOB: 10/31/1973), Orlando

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Brian Gillespy, 27 (DOB: 4/25/1987), Daytona Beach

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications
  • Prohibited use of computer transmissions

Randy King, 24 (DOB: 6/9/1990), DeLand

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications
  • Prohibited use of computer transmissions

Brian Mcree, 51 (Note: DOB exempt due to defendant's status as a former law enforcement office), Jacksonville

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications
  • Possession of sexual performance by a child (50 counts)

Charles MetCalf, 29 (DOB: 1/7/1985), Palm Coast

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Mathew Miller, 18 (DOB: 1/17/1996), Orlando

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Jerimiah Potter, 22 (DOB: 7/16/1992), Ormond Beach

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Widler Rislin, 23 (DOB: 4/2/1991), Kissimmee

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

Zackary Schroeder, 21 (DOB: 7/7/1993), Daytona Beach

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications

James Stewart, 20 (DOB: 3/9/1994), Ormond Beach

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications
  • Prohibited use of computer transmissions
  • Possession of marijuana under 20 grams
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia

Georgyo Walkine, 22 (DOB: 8/7/1991), Orlando

  • Use a computer to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Traveling to solicit, lure or entice minor
  • Unlawful use of two-way communications
  • Prohibited use of computer transmissions