6 Alleged Hudson Valley Child Predators Arrested During Big Sting
Six Hudson Valley residents including a teacher were arrested following an undercover sting to catch alleged child predators.
On Thursday, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of 16 alleged child predators in “Operation Home Alone,” a multi-agency undercover operation targeting men who allegedly were using social media in an attempt to lure underage girls and boys for sexual activity.
The underage children were, in fact, undercover officers. Most of the men were arrested when they arrived at a home in New Jersey where they allegedly expected to find a teen home alone. Instead, they found law enforcement officers prepared to arrest them and process any evidence seized, police say.
Those arrested include a New Jersey police officer, a Bronx high school teacher, drivers for two rideshare companies, a minister, a finance lead for an internet service provider, a bank branch office manager, a barbershop owner, a dental hygienist, two takeout food deliverymen and others, according to New Jersey State Police.
“The 16 men we arrested allegedly used social media to stalk victims they believed were vulnerable children who could be sexually exploited. Fortunately, their victims were really undercover officers prepared to put them in handcuffs,” Grewal said. “Parents need to know that the profiles of underage girls and boys we posted on social media to catch these offenders could easily have been profiles of their own children, who might also be targeted by predators on chat apps and popular gaming sites. Our message to child predators is law enforcement is working overtime to find you and arrest you.”
The arrests were made over a five-day period from April 11 through April 15. Seven men traveled to the undercover house from New York State, including six who live in the Hudson Valley. Below are the six from the local area who were arrested
Kevin Roth, 26, Nanuet: Roth a teacher in the Bronx is accused of trying to meet a 14-year-old boy. He was charged with luring and attempted sexual assault on a minor.
Dariush Ghamarnezhad, 37, of Pomona: Ghamarnezhad, a dental hygienist, allegedly went to meet a 14-year-old girl. Ghamarnezhad was charged with attempted sexual assault on a minor.
Shaheen Lariff, 49, of New City; The bank branch office manager is accused of trying to meet a 14-year-old girl. Lariff was charged with luring and attempted sexual assault on a minor.
Teodoro Alvarez Ortega, 28, of Suffern: Avarez Ortega is a restaurant server who allegedly wanted to meet a 14-year-old boy. He was charged with attempted sexual assault on a minor, luring, attempted debauching morals of a child, and attempted showing obscene materials to a minor.
Yosef Kriger, 31, of New City: The pharmaceuticals delivery driver who allegedly tried to meet a 14-year-old girl was charged with attempted sexual assault on a minor, luring, attempted debauching morals of a child.
Jacob Smith, 26, of New Rochelle: The takeout food delivery driver is accused of trying to meet a 14-year-old girl. He was charged with attempted sexual assault on a minor, luring, attempted debauching morals of a child, and attempted showing obscene materials to a minor.
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