Kern Deputies makes multiple arrests in undercover operation

Over the last several months, the Kern County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit has been conducting an ongoing decoy operation with the goal of apprehending child sexual predators. Undercover detectives, posing as minor children through various online applications and websites, were contacted and solicited by individuals interested in the sexual exploitation of children.

The following people were arrested for the charges of:

PC 288.3(a) - Contacting a minor with the intent to perform lewd acts

PC 288.4(a)(1) - Arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd acts

PC 288.4(b) - Meeting with a minor with the intention of performing lewd acts

Brandon Gallo Trevino

DOB: 2/8/2002

Roberto Martinez

DOB: 5/13/1976

James Louis Cazares

DOB: 12/28/1981

Roberto Concepcion Bakani

DOB: 12/15/1970

Cory Michael Sweeten

DOB: 8/9/1991

Donald Tippit Fitzsimmons

DOB: 5/17/1975

Nathan Allen Curtis

DOB: 6/21/1971

Travis Ray Powers

DOB: 10/11/1975

As always, the Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to closely monitor their children's online activity and use security settings to prevent them from accessing inappropriate websites and online social media platforms.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Special Victims Unit, and Crime Prevention Unit will continue to work with local school districts to teach students, educators, and parents how to protect themselves on the internet, with a common goal of reducing online victimization, increasing reporting of criminal activity and providing valuable resources for schools and the community to help guard against child predators.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit at (661) 861-3110.