Over the course of five days beginning in late April 2026, detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Internet Crimes Against Children Unit led a large-scale operation, known as "Operation Checkmate," targeting those trying to lure children online for sex. Undercover
chatters arranged to meet these suspects at locations across the city. Once a suspect arrived, they were greeted by JSO's Narcotics Unit or SWAT Team.
The men arrested come from different backgrounds. One managed security at venues across the city, including the stadium and the arena. Another was a youth athletics coach. They are husbands, boyfriends, fathers, and brothers.
Operations like this lowers the demand for child exploitation and helps keep children safe. The more law enforcement conducts these operations, the more awareness is brought to the issue. Parents are reminded to be aware of who children are talking to online. Even when a site is marketed towards children, that doesn’t mean predators like these men aren’t waiting to take advantage of them.
There are active arrest warrants out for others for their actions during this operation. It’s only a matter of time until JSO detectives round them up and they, too, face the consequences.
Detectives work around the clock to put an end to online exploitation.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is grateful to partnering agencies for teaming up and to the nonprofit, Operation Lightshine, for providing resources to make this happen.
Below is a list of the men arrested during this operation:
- Billy East, 35
- Clifford Skaggs, 72
- Derrick Wilcox, 22
- Donald Seymore, 42
- Dustin Heffner, 37
- Elias Martinez Guerra, 30
- Giuseppe Gilbert, 23
- Jacob Futch, 29
- Jaime Castellanos Marin, 42
- Jason Gaines, 41
- Javier Isidro Mendez, 31
- Jay Kennedy, 28
- Jean Auguste, 45
- Jeremy Johnson, 33
- John Mullins, 61
- Leon Hicks, 43
- Mark Sullivan, 59
- Mikal Detoro, 44
- Nasib Amin, 23
- Nathan Ramirez, 29
- Quentin Quarterman, 28
- Rodcliff Wilson, 33
- Samuel Pinheiro, 35
- Sean Smith, 48
- Stephen Sheehan, 34
- Terry Rivers, 34
- Zachary Bradley, 25
- Zachary Stitz, 39
Anyone who suspects someone is trying to lure a child online, is asked to notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling
1.800.THE.LOST.
To view the post regarding this operation on JSO's social media platforms, please click on one of the following links:
Facebook | Instagram | X
Watch the news conference on
JSO's YouTube Channel.