Virginia Police Arrest Six More Suspects In Online Predator Sting

Police in Virginia announced the arrest of six men as part of a Traveler Operation ─ a sting meant to identify and apprehend online predators.

Danial Siridavong, 33, of Woodbridge, Virginia, Edil Yovani Galvin-Dubon, 35, of Fairfax, Virginia, Moh Shakib Stanikzai, 30, of Alexandria, Virginia, Gilberto Antonio Jarquin-Medina, 26, of Alexandria, Zim Mohammad, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, and Ozgur Ozcelik, 35, of Alexandria, were each arrested in connection to the sting.

In an initial sting, Fairfax County police arrested David M. Thompson, 52, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, who they say was attempting to solicit sex from police officers posing as children online. He was arrested Jan. 6 and charged with two counts of child porn production, six counts of distributing child pornography and two counts of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children.

In the second part of the sting, which was conducted for several days in December, police posed as children on Internet platforms to identify suspects who failed to appear as part of the initial sting. When each offender showed up at locations to meet the "children," they were taken into custody. The suspects ages ranged from 26 to 52, and the men were charged with a combined 49 felonies.

Siridavong was arrested on Dec. 28 and charged with two counts of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children and one count of attempt indecent liberties.

Edil Yovani Galvin-Dubon was arrested on Dec. 22 and charged with attempted indecent liberties with a minor, 20 counts of possession/reproduction of child pornography with the intent to distribute second offense, four counts of use of communications systems to propose to such child the performance of a sexual act and two counts of aggravated sexual battery from a 2017 incident.

Moh Shakib Stanikzai was arrested on Dec. 22 and charged with one count of computer solicitation of a child under 15 and attempted indecent liberties with a child under 15.

Gilberto Antonio Jarquin-Medina was arrested on Dec. 22 was charged with one count of computer solicitation of a child under 15 and attempted indecent liberties.

Zim Mohammad was arrested on Dec. 21 and charged with use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children and one count of enticing a minor to produce pornography.

Ozgur Ozcelik was arrested on Dec. 21 and charged with two counts of use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children and one count of attempt indecent liberties.

"Parents are urged to closely monitor their children’s online activities and use available security settings to prevent the use of inappropriate sites or platforms. Children should be encouraged to report any person engaging in inappropriate conversations or trying to coerce them into providing sexually explicit images of themselves," police advised.