A sting operation that targeted Internet child sex predators has led to the arrests of 16 men in six Wisconsin counties, authorities said.
Eight were arrested in Brown County, four in Marathon County, and the others in Winnebago, Shawano, Outagamie and Door counties, according to Press-Gazette Media (http://gbpg.net/16o6ZJR).
Police had between 1,200 and 1,500 chats with possible suspects during the investigation that ran from Wednesday to Saturday, said Door County Sheriff’s investigator Jim Valley. Officials targeted online ad services as well as social media and other Internet outlets.
http://liarcatchers.com/pedophile_tracking.html
By Monday evening, eight men had been charged. Charges — and those being recommended — include use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime to child enticement, prostitution and possession of a controlled substance.
Two of those arrested have connections to the Green Bay School District, including a bus driver and a library media specialist at two elementary schools.
The staff member, identified as Jason Gehrke, 38, was charged with use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, according to online court records. According to officials, he had been with the district for a year.
The bus driver, identified by the Brown County Sheriff’s Department as 34-year-old Victor Iakimenko, works for contracted bus service. He has been removed from the route transporting children from two schools. Iakimenko, of Green Bay, has been charged with child enticement and use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
Green Bay schools Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld said the district is conducting its own investigation and student safety is a top priority for the district.
“This is very unsettling and troubling,” the superintendent said.
District officials said they will conduct an internal investigation of the employee. Langenfeld said administrators were not aware of any allegations of additional misconduct.
A Lamers Bus Line Inc. spokeswoman would not confirm the driver’s name but said someone was arrested and has been placed on suspension.
“Our background check policy already exceeds what is required,” school bus operations manager Cindy Lawler said. “We do re-check them. The driver had no previous criminal record.”
Law enforcement officials say the investigation continues.
