KANSAS CITY—An operation led by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit during the time FIFA World Cup events took place in the Kansas City metro area resulted in the arrest of seven men who were attempting to engage in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.
The child enticement operations took place in June and July. Undercover detectives posed as 15-year-old girls online and engaged in conversation with men who asked to meet them for sex. When they arrived at the designated meet-up spots, deputies arrested them.
“We know human trafficking increases around large events like the World Cup, so we wanted to help disrupt that,” said Sergeant Jeremy Fahrmeier, supervisor of the Special Victims Unit. “But we also know this danger exists right here at home, with the majority of those arrested residing in the metro area.”
The arrests included Marvin R. Carillo-Muñoz, 45, of Kansas City, Kan. on a requested charge of Felony attempted enticement of a minor.
Charles A. Farmer, 63, of St. Joseph, Mo. on a requested charge of Felony attempted enticement of a minor.
William C. Grandi, 45, of Kansas City, Mo., on a requested charge of Felony attempted enticement of a minor.
Reginald J. Pittmon, Jr., 23, of Shawnee, Kan. on a requested charge of Felony attempted enticement of a minor.
Additional charges may be forthcoming. Pittmon is a registered Kansas sex offender for sexual exploitation of a minor and fourth-degree child molestation. He also is on probation in Jackson County for possession of child sexual abuse material.
Phillip E. Rivera II, 37, of Kansas City, Mo. on a requested charge of Felony attempted enticement of a minor.
Donald D. Robinson, 60, of Glenmora, Louisiana, on a requested charge of attempted enticement of a child and misdemeanor furnishing pornographic images to a minor
Steven S. Taylor, 48, of Raytown, Mo. on a requested charge of Felony attempted enticement of a minor and felony second-degree drug trafficking