MOHAVE COUNTY – Three recent arrests are reported in a three-year sting operation targeting male adults seeking sexual involvement with minors. 33 people have been arrested during the investigation conducted by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

Many defendants who entered plea agreements were handed 5-10-year sentences and two men convicted at trial drew punishment of more than 30 years in prison. A detective using social media to attract suspects poses as a 13-year-old girl who directs solicitors to engage in text messaging.

The MCSO and prosecutors have said some defendants asked for nude images and some ventured as far as arranging hookups where they were intercepted and arrested as they thought they were meeting for sex.

Agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said William Leonard Branch, 24, Kingman, was arrested Jan. 14. He was charged with aggravated luring of a minor, attempted sexual conduct with a minor and two drug related offenses.

Mortensen said Dwight Everett Ramirez, 35, Kingman, was arrested Feb. 4. Ramirez faces two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.

James Jobe Gastineau, 43, Kingman, was jailed Feb. 11. He is charged with aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation, five counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.

“The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind parents, especially while distance learning is being utilized by school districts, that they should monitor their children’s internet usage,” Mortensen said. “It takes very little time for offenders to recognize potential victims and gain the trust of minors online. Please have conversations with your children about internet safety.”

Dave Hawkins