Law enforcement officers with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted Operation Spring Cleaning which resulted in the arrests of eight men. The investigation targeted individuals who solicit children for sexual activity. Members from the Okaloosa, Walton, and Escambia County Sheriff’s Offices participated along with the Department of Homeland Security HSI.
Seven men who solicited what they thought was an underage girl for sex instead ended up in handcuffs when they showed up for the rendezvous and encountered Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies instead. An eighth individual thought he was going to be greeted by a fourteen year old boy.
During Operation Spring Cleaning, an undercover deputy posed online as a 13 or 14 year old girl, and in one case posed as a boy. Eight people are accused of soliciting the “teen” for sex and arranging to meet at a predetermined location. When they showed up however, they learned the “teen” is actually a law enforcement officer. They each now face multiple felony charges.
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These arrests took place between April 10th and 15th: 26-year old Christian Eberle of Fort Walton Beach, 27-year old Sandor Spitzmuller of Destin, 26-year old Bryan Weinstein of Fort Walton Beach, 22-year old Dakota Ford of Mary Esther, 43-year old Pedro Aldana-Aldana of Gulfport, Mississippi, 63- year old Robert Watters of Fort Walton Beach, 79-year old Robert Murphy of Mary Esther, and Matthew Stevens.
The charges include use of a computer to solicit a minor, traveling to meet a minor for sex, and use of a two communication device to commit a felony.
Weinstein is also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Additional arrests are expected.
Navarre Newspaper reminds our readers that Christian Eberle , Sandor Spitzmuller , Bryan Weinstein , Dakota Ford , Pedro Aldana-Aldana , Robert Watters , Robert Murphy and Matthew Stevens are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
