13 men, including 2 from Bradenton, arrested in underage sex sting in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested 13 men, including two from Bradenton, in a three-day undercover operation targeting men looking to have sex with children.

The men, ranging in age from 18 to 53, responded to internet-based ads, online applications or social media sites and engaged in sexually explicit written and verbal conversations with the intent to have sex with a male or female child, according to a release. Some of the men sent explicit photos and several brought condoms with them.

Jordan Bosma, 24, a wrestling coach for the Amateur Athletic Union league in Manatee, according to a Facebook post on a Manatee Wrestling Facebook page, was one man arrested. He initiated a conversation with an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl, who quickly told him she was 14, lived with her mother and was unable to drive. Bosma said he wanted to come over and "hang out" and asked what they would do, according to the arrest report.

Bosma eventually said he was interested in "straight up sex," and when the agent re

plied she didn't want to be 14 and pregnant he said he "didn't want to go to jail and would bring condoms," according to the report.

Bosma was arrested when he traveled to a Sarasota address from Bradenton, and told officers he had talked to a girl online who he believed to be 14. He is charged with use of a computer to solicit a child to commit a sex act, traveling to solicit a child to commit sex acts and attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Jorge Hernandez-Mendoza, 26, contacted an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social media application called Badoo, according to an arrest report. He told the agent he wanted to have sex and agreed to bring condoms.

When he arrived, he tried to run from deputies but was apprehended, and later said, "I has to pay for what I done," according to the report.

"While it's concerning to see this many suspects respond in just three days," said Sheriff Tom Knight. "It's even more concerning that these individuals live right here in our community. Unlike operations in the past where suspects have traveled from around the state to sexually exploit children, all of the men arrested in this operation live within or just outside Sarasota County. This should be a reminder for parents to remain cognizant of their children's online activity; know what they are doing and who they are talking to."

Detectives seized mobile devices from all men arrested. In addition, some information obtained has resulted in additional investigations.

Others arrested and their charges include:

Joshua Betts, 35, of Sarasota: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery, transmission of materials harmful to minors by electronic device.

Robert Clemmons, 33, of Sarasota: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Joseph Circone, 21, of Sarasota: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Javier Garcia, 21, of Sarasota: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery, violation of probation.

Reed Herron, 23, of Sarasota: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Keith Howard, 45, of Lehigh Acres: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Holland Incitti, 24, of Arcadia: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, lewd or lascivious battery.

Craig Lacourse, 18, of North Port: Solicitation of prostitution, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Jon Nichols, 53, of North Port: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Jose Ortega, 21, of Wimauma: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

Ian Panton, 33, of St. Petersburg: Use of a computer to solicit a child to commit sex act, travel to solicit a child to commit sex acts, attempted lewd or lascivious battery.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 11:51 PM with the headline "13 men, including 2 from Bradenton, arrested in underage sex sting in Sarasota ."