Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
An undercover Homeland Security sting targeting suspected online child predators resulted in the arrests of three Central Coast men and one man from Gilroy.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the multiagency sting was conducted Aug. 14 through Aug. 15 with help from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
During the operation, undercover investigators communicated online with people who allegedly sought to sexually exploit minors.
Investigators said the suspects engaged in sexually explicit conversations and arranged to meet people they believed were underage for sexual activity.
When the suspects arrived at predetermined locations, law enforcement officers contacted them and made arrests.
Those arrested were identified as:
Omar Rivera Hernandez, 28, of Gilroy
Luis Cruz Jr., 32, of Marina
Andrew Jesus Ledesma, 32, of Watsonville
Jovany Ollua Carbajal, 28, of Seaside
All but Andrew Jesus Ledesma appeared in court in a Salinas courtroom on Tuesday, where the three defendants entered not guilty pleas.
Cruz Jr. was charged by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office with one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes and one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense. Prosecutors also filed special allegations related to planning, sophistication or professionalism, and violent conduct.
Carbajal was charged with one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense and one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes. Prosecutors also filed a special allegation related to violent conduct.
Omar Rivera Hernandez was charged with three felonies, including contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense, meeting a minor for lewd purposes and sending harmful matter to a minor.
An undercover Homeland Security sting targeting suspected online child predators resulted in the arrests of three Central Coast men and one man from Gilroy.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the multiagency sting was conducted Aug. 14 through Aug. 15 with help from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
During the operation, undercover investigators communicated online with people who allegedly sought to sexually exploit minors.
Investigators said the suspects engaged in sexually explicit conversations and arranged to meet people they believed were underage for sexual activity.
When the suspects arrived at predetermined locations, law enforcement officers contacted them and made arrests.
Those arrested were identified as:
Omar Rivera Hernandez, 28, of Gilroy
Luis Cruz Jr., 32, of Marina
Andrew Jesus Ledesma, 32, of Watsonville
Jovany Ollua Carbajal, 28, of Seaside
All but Andrew Jesus Ledesma appeared in court in a Salinas courtroom on Tuesday, where the three defendants entered not guilty pleas.
Cruz Jr. was charged by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office with one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes and one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense. Prosecutors also filed special allegations related to planning, sophistication or professionalism, and violent conduct.
Carbajal was charged with one felony count of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense and one felony count of meeting a minor for lewd purposes. Prosecutors also filed a special allegation related to violent conduct.
Omar Rivera Hernandez was charged with three felonies, including contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sexual offense, meeting a minor for lewd purposes and sending harmful matter to a minor.
