BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis shared details on an investigation that resulted in eight arrests in a press conference Wednesday morning.
The investigation began on July 17 and involved several other agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the sheriff said.
The eight men were reportedly arrested on charges including human trafficking and attempted sexual battery after engaging in online chats with undercover agents posing as kids between the ages of 11 and 15. Of the eight men, four are being charged right now with human trafficking.
The men arrested are:
- Juan Romero — Charged with traveling to meet a juvenile after using a computer and two-way communication device in a felony.
- Sean Dooley — Charged with traveling to meet a minor after using a computer and two-way communication device in a felony.
- Troy Hartman — Charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device in a felony, and attempted lewd and lascivious battery
- James Brand — Registered sex offender who was previously arrested for trying to meet a minor. Charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer and use of a two-way communication device in a felony
- Jerry Berrios — Owner of NY Finest II Barbershop. Charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device in a felony and attempted lewd and lascivious battery.
- Jeremy Burke — Charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer and use of a two-way communication device in a felony
- Jarrod Alamo — Reportedly left his two-year-old at home with his sister-in-law to commit the crime. Charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device in a felony, and attempted lewd and lascivious battery.
- Erick Digaudio — Doordasher who sexually battered one of the sheriff's office's decoys during the investigation, according to Nienhuis. Charged with human trafficking, use of a two-way communication device in a felony, attempted lewd and lascivious battery.
"Obviously very serious charges for these individuals," Sheriff Nienhuis said during the press conference.
Florida State Attorney Bill Gladson thanked the sheriff's office and FDLE for working on cases like this, saying they "underscore why it's so important for parents to make sure that they know what their children are doing on the internet."
"It's absolutely horrifying," Gladson said during the conference. "It's horrifying and it happens quickly... It's just a reminder of how serious the internet can be, how dangerous it can be when parents aren't monitoring it."
Watch the full press conference below: