CRESTVIEW, Fla., Nov. 23, 2024—Nine men were arrested in a special undercover operation earlier this month targeting adults looking to meet minors online for sexual encounters.

According to an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office news release, “Operation Cold Turkey” was part of an ongoing effort by the sheriff’s office to protect children from predators.

Arrested were:

• George Hastings Davis, 36, from DeFuniak Springs, arrested Nov. 15, released Nov. 21
• Joiarib Manarang Fernandez, 35, from Crestview, arrested Nov. 17, released Nov. 21
• Sampson Matthew Graham, 33, from Crestview, arrested Nov. 16
• Edwin Dennis Huggins, 39, from Panama City Beach, arrested Nov. 15, released Nov. 20
• Marquee D’shon Lewis, 21, from Crestview, arrested Nov. 16
• Christian Echevarria Reyes, 32, from Fort Walton Beach, arrested Nov. 14, released Nov. 22
• Domingo Sebastian, 20, from Crestview, arrested Nov. 17, being held for immigration
• Donavon Joseph Spears, 23, arrested Nov. 16, released Nov. 17
• Ancel Kimani Sterling, 41, from Fort Walton Beach, arrested Nov. 15

All nine men were charged with traveling to meet a minor for sex, use of a computer to solicit a minor for sex and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony. Reyes faces an additional charge of firearm possession during the commission of a felony.

The suspects in this operation traveled to a predetermined location in Crestview with the intention to meet the juveniles, but were ultimately taken into custody by OCSO investigators, according to the release.

Assisting the sheriff’s office in this operation were the Crestview, Fort Walton Beach and Niceville police departments; the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of Special Investigations.

Staff and OCSO news release