Child sex predator, human trafficking in North Carolina ends with 8 people arrested for soliciting undercover cops

WAKE FOREST, NC (WTVD) — Law enforcement officials are warning parents to be vigilant after a recent arrest of eight people they say is linked to a child sex predator and human trafficking ring.

According to the Wake Forest Police Department, eight people from various parts of central North Carolina were arrested in a multi-jurisdictional undercover operation. The Wake Forest Police Department and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office were the lead agencies during the 12-15 sting. November.

Suspects were arrested after investigators said they solicited undercover officers posing as juveniles for sex or other purposes. The undercover officers and the suspects agreed on a meeting place, and detectives arrested the suspects when they arrived.

Investigators said this type of crime is something they seem to be seeing more often.

“The things that surprise me – some of the backgrounds of some of the individuals. They have families. Some are married. Some are involved in the community,” Sergeant David Bradford said.

The eight suspects charged are:

• Rosendo Benitez Rodriguez, 26, of Raleigh, is charged with attempted statutory rape and solicitation of a child by computer.
• Romael Eliberto Morales-Escobar, 25, of Apex, is charged with attempted statutory rape and solicitation of a child by computer.
• Mahdi Sarbedar, 33, of Raleigh is charged with attempted statutory rape and solicitation of a child via computer
• Ramon Ayala Mendoza, 41, of Chapel Hill, is charged with attempted statutory rape, attempted statutory sex offense and solicitation of a child via computer
• Valentin Cruz-Salazar, 39, of Raleigh is charged with attempted statutory rape and solicitation of a child by computer
• Brian Deshawn Mobley, 51, of Middlesex is charged with attempted statutory rape and computer solicitation of a child
• Alejandro Sean Colon, 22, of Spring Lake is charged with attempted statutory rape, attempted statutory sex crime, indecent liberties with a child and solicitation of a child via computer
• Faud Hossain, 26, of Durham, is charged with attempted statutory rape, attempted statutory sex offense and solicitation of a child via computer

Police officials are urging parents to monitor their children’s social media and computer use, as this is a common way predators contact children.

“Snapchat, Instagram, Discord, Facebook — all the big platforms are a big source of concern for kids that are definitely targeting kids,” Bradford said.

SEE ALSO | 7 arrested in connection with human trafficking in Cumberland County

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