Skip to main content
May 27, 2022Phoenix, AZ, United StatesChild Exploitation, Narcotics

43 arrested, cited for drugs, weapons, crimes against children by HSI Phoenix and partnered agencies

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – On Tuesday, results from an undercover operation dubbed “Spring Fling” aimed at targeting alleged sexual predators was announced by local law enforcement in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

HSI joined the Scottsdale Police Department Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEaT) Unit along with Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Surprise Police Departments along with Arizona State University Police Department for Operation Spring Fling.

This was an undercover operation targeting the demand for commercial sex, sex buyers, and human trafficking, which led to 43 arrests for crimes including child sex trafficking, prostitution, drug charges, and misconduct involving weapons. The focus was on hotel prostitution and street prostitution enforcement. The suspects allegedly solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts and were subsequently arrested.

The following suspects solicited various sex acts and were arrested:

Name Age Report/Agency Charges
Anthony Gomez Jr 31 ASU PD DR 22-1760 Prostitution
Robert Duran 43 Mesa PD GO 22-104339 Prostitution
Ronaldo Woodson 26 Mesa PD GO 22-104409 Prostitution
Christopher Lull 39 Mesa PD GO 22-105135 Prostitution x 2
Kinur Amador 44 Mesa PD GO 22-105724 Prostitution
Jacinto Gamez Mendoza 48 Mesa PD GO 22-105789 Prostitution
Temeni Brewster 32 Mesa PD GO 22-103374 Prostitution
Dominique Franks 55 Mesa PD GO 22-103505 Prostitution
Rushik Desai 24 Mesa PD GO 22-103565 Prostitution
Kyle Church 37 Mesa PD GO 22-10491 Prostitution
Motjaba Khanzandedaghalian 32 Mesa PD GO 22-104939 Prostitution
Tariq Saleem 34 Mesa PD GO 22-105835 Prostitution
Pruthvi Tatikonda 37 Mesa PD GO 22-105901 Prostitution
Robert Farinas 36 Mesa PD GO 22-105855 Prostitution
Michael Santangelo 53 SPD DR 22-10337 Prostitution
Neil Dickens 51 SPD DR 22-10409 Prostitution
Jose Manuel Berumen Abril 57 SPD DR 22-10415 Prostitution, POND
Marco Valles 53 SPD DR 22-10489 Child Sex Trafficking
Trinidad Gil 25 SPD DR 22-10346 Prostitution
Martin Mendez 56 SPD DR 22-10468 Prostitution
Salvador Acosta 35 SPD DR 22-10472 Prostitution
Joshua Burns 32 SPD DR 22-10356 Prostitution
Jose Luis Davila 21 SPD DR 22-10350 Prostitution
Daniel Aceves 28 SPD DR 22-10407 Prostitution
Noel McBurnett 57 SPD DR 22-10264 Prostitution, Misconduct Involving Weapons, PODD, PODP
Rafael Gonzalez 19 SPD DR 22-10414 Prostitution
Geoffrey Dada 40 SPD DR 22-10351 Prostitution
Bruce Sharp 40 SPD DR 22-10263 Prostitution
Ryan Klinger 46 SPD DR 22-10408 Prostitution, PODD, PODP
Jason Kuns 52 SPD DR 22-10412 Prostitution, PODD, PODP
Roman Janowiak 47 SPD DR 22-10273 Prostitution, Misdemeanor Warrant
Gilbert Brown 57 SPD DR 22-10339 Prostitution
Robert Richey 42 SPD DR 22-10396 Prostitution
Christopher Lara 48 SPD DR 22-10495 Prostitution, Felony Warrant (Child Sex Trafficking)
Michael Boyle 47 TPD GO 22-53387 Prostitution
Jayasankar Dhoolipala 34 TPD GO 22-53727 Prostitution
Robert Arthur 36 TPD GO 22-54174 Prostitution
Joseph Valva 40 TPD GO 22-52983 Prostitution, PODD, PODP, Felony Warrant
Martin Quiroz Islas 55 TPD GO 22-53418 Prostitution
Carlos Oltehua-Asencion 39 TPD GO 22-53761 Prostitution
Christopher Frank 54 TPD GO 22-53741 Prostitution
James England 47 TPD GO 22-53764 Prostitution
Tuan Tran 46 TPD GO 22-53804 Prostitution

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

HSI also encourages the public to report suspected sex trafficking or any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the United States and Canada, callers should dial (802) 872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY (802) 872-6196.

HSI takes a victim-centered approach to child exploitation investigations by working to identify, rescue and stabilize victims. HSI works in partnership with NCMEC, ICAC partners, and other federal, state and local agencies to help solve cases and rescue sexually exploited children. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to NCMEC’s toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST. HSI is a founding member of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.

One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.

Updated: