Six men between the ages of 26 and 43 and who reside in the DMV were arrested during an online sting to identify internet predators exploiting children, according to Fairfax County police.
In each case, offenders used online platforms to initiate explicit conversations and solicit sex from police officers posing as children. The operation was conducted over several days.
When each of the suspects arrived at the agreed-upon locations, detectives took them into custody, according to a release.
All six men were charged with a combined 21 felonies:
- Raul Ramirez-Roja, 27, of Winchester, charged with two counts of propose sex act and one count of indecent liberties with child under age 15
- Julio Lozano Lazo, 29, of Maryland, charged with two counts of propose sex act, one count of indecent liberties with child under age 15, and one count of procure minor for obscene material by communication system
- Jvonni Farmer, 28, of Woodbridge, charged with propose sex act and one count of indecent liberties with child under age 15
- Elmer Juarez Calderon, 26, of Arlington, charged with one count of propose sex act and one count of indecent liberties with child under age 15
- Marcus Hal Sturdivant, 35, of Harrisonburg, charged with four counts of propose sex act. – arrested by City of Harrisonburg PD (booking photo not available)
- William Godoy Estrada, 43, of Arlington, charged with four counts of propose sex act, attempted production of child pornography, and attempted indecent liberties
Parents are urged to closely monitor their children’s online activities and use available security settings to prevent the use of age-inappropriate sites or platforms, police said.
Children should be encouraged to report any person engaging in inappropriate conversations or trying to coerce them into providing sexually explicit images of themselves.
Additional internet safety information provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be found here.
Anyone with information regarding other cases involving the exploitation of children or human trafficking is asked to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6.