(KRON) — The Modesto Police Department said a widespread child sexual predator investigation that began last spring has so far netted 21 arrests, including a juvenile and two registered sex offenders.
Modesto PD said the case was launched in May 2024 by its Special Crimes Unit that includes Special Victims detectives and Hi-Tech Crimes experts. Police said 12 people were identified in online chats after they sent “explicit images, videos, and messages” to undercover officers posing as minors. Police said several of the suspects made plans to meetup with the supposed minors “with the intent to commit sexual acts.” Police said all 12 individuals, including a registered sex offender, were arrested.
Modesto police said the individuals were taken into custody for several crimes related to child sexual exploitation, including possession and distribution of child pornography, sending harmful material to minors, and attempting to engage in sexual acts with a child.
Modesto police have released the timeline and ID’s of those arrested in the undercover chat sting:
- May 2024 – Jeremiah Sloan, 27, of Modesto – Sent harmful material to a minor, attempted to arrange a meeting for sexual acts, and attempted lewd acts with a child under 14.
- June 2024 – Dustin Mathewson, 31, of Merced – Sent harmful material to a minor and attempted to engage in lewd communication.
- June 2024 – Curtis Casto, 63, of Euless, TX – Sent harmful material to a minor, arranged a meeting for sexual purposes.
- August 2024 – Michael Anderson, 36, of Sacramento – Sent harmful material to a minor and attempted to engage in lewd communication.
- August 2024 – James Ziarko, 46, of Fresno – Sent harmful material to a minor and attempted to engage in lewd communication.
- August 2024 – Pedro Gil, 47, of Modesto – Attempted to molest or annoy a person he believed to be under 18.
- September 2024 – Ashish Bhatia, 26, of Tracy – Sent harmful material to a minor, arranged a meeting for sexual purposes.
- September 2024 – Christopher Wheeler, 43, of Angels Camp – Attempted to engage in lewd communication and sent harmful material to a minor.
- October 2024 – Michael Vickerman, 52, of Modesto – Contacted a minor for sexual purposes, arranged a meeting for sex, and committed lewd acts with a child under 14. He was also found in possession of controlled substances.
- October 2024 – Frank Copeland, 44, of Riverbank – Sent harmful material to a minor and attempted to engage in lewd communication.
- December 2024 – Alfonso Ferrer, 37, of Oroville – Contacted a minor for sexual purposes, sent harmful material, and attempted to arrange a meeting for sexual activity. He was also found to be in violation of parole.
- February 2025 – Kip Weber, 48, of Cameron Park – Attempted lewd acts with a child under 14, engaged in lewd communication with a minor, distributed harmful material to a minor, and possessed child pornography. Weber is a Bay Area firefighter.
Police said officers also executed a two-day operation in early March that targeted suspects identified through tips gathered by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Search warrants were served at 14 locations throughout Modesto, resulting in the arrests of eight adults and one 15-year-old for possession of child porn. A registered sex offender was one of the individuals taken into custody, said police.
Modesto police have identified those arrested in the NCMEC tip operation on March 5 and 6, and the charges they face:
- Alvaro Avalos, 32, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography.
- Jerry Villarreal, 37, of Modesto – Possession of stolen property, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession of an assault weapon.
- Ricardo Huerta, 18, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography.
- Aaron Ramirez-Ochoa, 21, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography.
- Christian Anderson, 31, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography and multiple misdemeanor warrants.
- Tyshawn Thompson, 29, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography.
- Douglas Vyse, 42, of Modesto – Distribution and possession of child pornography.
- Jose Alcantar, 26, of Modesto – Distribution and possession of child pornography.
- 15-year-old male, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography.
- Eduardo Solorio-Flores, 25, of Modesto – Possession of child pornography.
“The safety of our children is our top priority,” said Sergeant Alex Rivera of Modesto PD’s Special Crimes Unit. “These arrests send a clear message — Modesto will not tolerate child predators in our community. Our detectives worked tirelessly to bring these offenders to justice, and we will continue to use every available resource to protect our most vulnerable residents. Every arrest made in these operations is one less predator that can harm a child.”
(KRON) — The Modesto Police Department said a widespread child sexual predator investigation that began last spring has so far netted 21 arrests, including a juvenile and two registered sex offenders. Modesto PD said the case was launched in May 2024 by its Special Crimes Unit that includes Special Victims detectives and Hi-Tech Crimes experts. […]