Turlock police arrest 13 men, from Stanislaus and beyond, in child predator sting
Thirteen men from across California, including six from the Modesto area, were arrested during a multi-agency undercover operation targeting adults accused of attempting to sexually exploit children online, the Turlock Police Department announced Tuesday.
The operation, conducted in partnership with the Sacramento County Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force and numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, targeted individuals who investigators say were attempting to engage in illicit activities with underage children.
Police said the suspects face multiple felony charges, including arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes, contacting or communicating with a minor with intent to commit a sexual offense, and attempted lewd acts with a child.
Of the 13 people arrested, four are from Turlock and two are from Modesto. The remaining suspects traveled from communities throughout California, including Ceres, Atwater, Fresno, Merced, Oakdale, Stockton and San Francisco, according to police.
Those arrested were identified as:
- Nathaniel Louis Gutierrez, 29, of Modesto
- Vincent Bernard Hinojos Jr., 44, of Turlock
- Mani Karan, 38, of Turlock
- Juan Manuel Castilleja, 49, of Modesto
- Carlos Gonzalez, 21, of Atwater
- Ryan Keith Leatherman, 42, of Ceres
- Jose Omar Carrillo, 33, of Fresno
- Yoni Debeule, 40, of San Francisco
- Joseph Michael Lima, 35, of Oakdale
- Christopher Gheen, 44, of Turlock
- Alex Romero, 33, of Turlock
- Steven Morales, 36, of Merced
- Jordan Rogersoffield, 28, of Stockton
Police said one of the suspects is a registered sex offender.
Twelve of the suspects were booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center, while one was booked into the Sacramento County Jail. The investigation remains active, and additional arrests are possible, authorities said.
The operation included assistance from the California Department of Justice, Sutter County District Attorney’s Office, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Yuba City Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and Folsom Police Department.
“Every arrest represents someone who intended to exploit a child,” Turlock police Capt. Miguel Pacheco said in a statement. “These operations are about identifying those individuals before they have the opportunity to harm a victim. I’m incredibly proud of the work our detectives and partner agencies put into this operation and their continued commitment to protecting children.”
Detective Gina Giovacchini, who coordinated the investigation, said the operation prevented contact with actual children.
“Every conversation intercepted is one that never reached a real child,” Giovacchini said. “Operations like this don’t happen alone. They require planning, coordination, and strong partnerships, and we’re grateful for every agency that helped make this operation possible.”
The department encouraged parents and guardians to discuss online safety with their children, monitor the apps and platforms they use, and report suspected child exploitation to law enforcement immediately.
This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 10:02 AM.
