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9 suspects arrested in 'Operation Downpour' led by St. Johns County detectives

Suspects arrested in Operation Downpour (SJSO)
(SJSO)

Jacksonville, FL — The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office says a recent child sex sting operation led by their Internet Crimes Against Children detectives has netted 9 arrests, including a former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office corrections officer.

According to the sheriff's office, the suspects arrested during the two-week 'Operation Downpour' range in age from 18 to 34-years-old and come from all over the country.

Locally, of the 9 arrested, three are from Duval County, one is from St. Johns County, and one is from Clay County. There were also one each from Alachua and Flagler counties. But deputies say one of the suspects is from McChord, Washington; another suspect is from South Gate, California.

The sheriff's office says this operation involved undercover detectives posing as children online to arrange for suspects to meet with them in St. Johns County. The arrest reports show the detectives posed as children between the ages of 11-14 during this operation, though in a couple of instances the detectives posed as the guardian of a child.

Deputies say all the suspects arrested made plans to meet and traveled to the location in an attempt to solicit children.

The arrest report for one of the suspects, Raymond Wygant, reveals he was suspicious about the conversation he was having online.

According to detectives, the following conversation ensued, with the suspect identified as Wygant and UC standing for undercover detective:

Regardless of this conversation, deputies say he still showed up to try to meet who he thought was a minor.

FULL ARREST DETAILS:

Clarence Thomas, 28, Jacksonville

Ct. 1: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Behavior

Ct. 2: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 3: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ct. 4: Solicit a child for sex

Bonds totaled $12,500

 The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office says Thomas does not have a booking photo to release, due to Florida’s 119 exemption. WOKV has learned Thomas is exempt because he is a former corrections officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Orion Healy, 19, Palm Coast

Ct. 1: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 2: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ct. 3: Solicit a child for sex

Ct. 4: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Ct. 5: Tampering with Evidence

Bonds totaled $45,000

Michael Beck II, 21, Jacksonville

Ct. 1: Solicit a child for sex

Ct. 2: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 3: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ct. 4: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Ct. 5: Transmission of Harmful Material to Mino

Ct. 6: Possession of Marijuana

Bonds Totaled $33,000

Raymond Wygant, 25, McChord, Washington

Ct. 1: Solicit a child for sex

Ct. 2: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 3: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ct. 4: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Bonds Totaling $32,500

Ethan Persson, 18, St. Augustine

Ct. 1: Solicit a child for sex

Ct. 2: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 3: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ct. 4: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Bonds Totaling $35,000

Ernie Aleman, 31, South Gate, California

Ct. 1: Solicit a child for sex

Ct. 2: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 3: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Ct. 4: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Bonds Totaling $50,000

Matthew Browne, 28, Gainesville

Ct. 1: Traveling to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 2: Solicit a child for sex

Ct. 3: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Ct. 4: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Bonds Totaling $35,000

Jhony Chacon-Montiel, 34, Jacksonville

Ct. 1: Travel to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 2: Unlawful use of a two way communications deice

Ct. 3: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Ct. 4: Use a computer to solicit a child for sex

No Bond

Joshua Blankenship, 28, Green Cove Springs

Ct. 1: Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery

Ct. 2: Unlawful use of a two way communications deice

Ct.3: Travel to meet a minor for sex

Ct. 4: Use a computer to solicit a child for sex

Ct. 5: Possession of a Controlled substance w/o prescription

Ct. 6: Possession of Methamphetamine

No Bond

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