STING OPERATION ARRESTS- KINGMAN

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has been conducting undercover sting operations around Mohave County for the past several years. The operation targets individuals who are using the internet to lure minors for sexual exploitation. As a result of the most recent operation, three individuals have been arrested.

On January 14, 2021, William Leonard Branch, 24 of Kingman, was arrested for Aggravated Luring of a Minor (under the age of 15), Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor (under the age of 15), Attempted Involving/Using Minors in a Drug Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, all felonies.

On February 4, 2021, Dwight Everett Ramirez, 35 of Kingman, was arrested for two felony counts of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (under the age of 15).

On February 11, 2021, James Jobe Gastineau, 43 of Kingman, was arrested for Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation (under the age of 15),five counts of Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation (under the age of 15), and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (under the age of 15), all felonies.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is an active member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Training was provided by ICAC which greatly aided in the success of these operations. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind parents, especially while distance learning is being utilized by school districts, that they should monitor their children’s internet usage. It takes very little time for offenders to recognize potential victims and gain the trust of minors online. Please have conversations with your children about internet safety.

This brought to you by