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‘Operation Creep Sweep:’ 12 arrested in Volusia County sex predator, offender sting

Investigation started in April

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – On Tuesday, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced a dozen arrests in its months-long “Operation Creep Sweep.”

In a release, deputies said the investigation started in April, and the operation’s focus has been on catching sexual predators and offenders.

According to the VSO, several of the suspects — previously convicted of crimes against children — were found using email and social media accounts that weren’t registered as required under state law.

“Some had child pornography on their electronic tablet or on their cell phone. We had some who filmed themself having sex and then sent it to their daughter,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said. “And then we had some who were arrested for molesting a 16-year-old.”

Those arrested in the operation and the charges they face are as follows:


Joshua Jobe, 24 — SEX OFFENDER

Joshua Jobe, 24 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Sex offender violation: failing to register social media and email accounts — Four counts
    • Possession of sexual performance by a child — 50 counts

Body-worn camera video shows deputies confronting Jobe along the road back in April. In the video, Jobe reportedly claims not to know his first name.


Patrick Fulton, 57 — SEX OFFENDER

Patrick Fulton, 57 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Sex offender violation: failing to register vehicle and email accounts — Four counts

Thomas Yates, 68 — SEX OFFENDER

Thomas Yates, 68 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Sex offender violation: failing to register social media accounts — Four counts

Body-camera video released by the VSO shows Thomas Yates being arrested back in April.


Ervin Jones, 45 — SEXUAL PREDATOR

Ervin Jones, 45 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Sex offender violation: failing to register social media accounts — Three counts

Body-worn camera video released by the VSO shows Jones being led through a building by deputies back in April.


Brian Eckelbecker, 43 — SEX OFFENDER

Brian Eckelbecker, 43 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Sex offender violation: failing to register social media accounts — Five counts

Footage released by the VSO shows a conversation between a detective and Eckelbecker after the latter’s arrest.


John Fontaine, 43

John Fontaine, 43 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Lewd or lascivious conduct — Two counts

Jose Renteria, 33

Jose Renteria, 33 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Transmitting obscene/harmful material to minors
    • Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
    • Promoting sexual behavior by a child

Andres Escobar, 28

Andres Escobar, 28 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)

CHARGES:

    • Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
    • Using a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity
    • Unlawful use of two-way communication device

Body-worn camera video released by the VSO shows Escobar’s arrest nearly two weeks ago.


Darren East, 31

Darren East, 31 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
    • Using a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity
    • Unlawful use of two-way communication device

Body-camera video released by the VSO shows East’s arrest nearly two weeks ago.


Rodolfo Odio Diaz, 23

Rodolfo Odio Diaz, 33 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity
    • Using a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity
    • Unlawful use of two-way communication device
    • Possession of paraphernalia
    • Currently has illegal immigrant/alien hold at jail

Mathieu Lortie, 34

Mathieu Lortie, 34 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Possession of sexual performance by a child — 20 counts
    • Currently has illegal immigrant/alien hold at jail

Body-camera video released by the VSO shows Lortie’s arrest earlier this month, with his mother witnessing Lortie being placed in handcuffs.


John McVeigh, 55

John McVeigh, 55 (Volusia Sheriff's Office)
  • CHARGES:
    • Possession of sexual performance by a child — Eight counts

Footage released by the VSO shows an interview between McVeigh and a detective.


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