JACKSON, N.J. – A multi-agency undercover operation targeting individuals attempting to lure minors for sexual activity has led to the arrest of twelve men across New Jersey, authorities announced.
The six-day operation, dubbed “Operation Bad Santa,” was led by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit in coordination with the East Brunswick Police Department, FBI Newark, and several other state, county, and local law enforcement partners. The arrests took place between December 8 and December 15.
Most of those arrested are non-U.S. citizens, according to jail records.
Prosecutors said the suspects used social media and messaging platforms to communicate with what they believed were underage children. The “children” were actually undercover officers. When the suspects arrived at a designated meeting location expecting to meet a minor, they were instead met by law enforcement and arrested. Two others were apprehended after online exploitation was detected and traced by investigators.
One of those suspects was in Jackson Township.
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Those arrested face charges including second-degree luring, third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child, and distribution of obscene material to a minor. Among those charged are:
- Delpis Reynoso-Castro, 26, of New Brunswick
- Marcos Aguila, 57, of East Brunswick
- Jose Leguia, 57, of Old Bridge
- Hareshkumar “Harry” Vala, 44, of Dunellen
- Vedant Khandelwal, 38, of Bridgewater
- Kevin Knox, 65, of North Brunswick
- Cameron Ameye, 33, of Bloomingdale, a youth program coordinator at Passaic County Community College
- Jorge Mora, 52, of Jackson
- Joseph Davicsin, 46, of East Brunswick, a middle school teacher in Elizabeth
- Akash Shah, 23, of East Brunswick
- Raul Angeles, 53, of Asbury Park
- James Keating, 59, of Edison
“These arrests send a clear message: law enforcement will continue to pursue those who seek to exploit children online,” said Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone.
East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco credited the collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies, calling the investigation “a beacon of hope for our community and a warning to those who prey on children.”
The FBI Newark Field Office, along with Homeland Security Investigations, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and police departments from Edison, Highland Park, New Brunswick, Monroe, Piscataway, Sayreville, and South River, assisted in the sting.
Authorities urged anyone with information related to online child exploitation to contact the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at (732) 745-3300.
A six-day statewide sting operation, “Operation Bad Santa,” led by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, resulted in twelve arrests of men accused of attempting to lure minors for sexual activity.