Originally published as a Bakersfield Police Department Facebook post –
On June 25th and 26th, 2021, Bakersfield Police Department officers began an operation designed to identify individuals soliciting juveniles online for sex and conducting sex registrant compliance checks. Bakersfield Police Department partnered with California State Parole, Kern County Probation, U.S. Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, McFarland Police Department, Delano Police Department, and California City Police Department for a multi-agency task force.
During this operation, undercover detectives posing as a juvenile were contacted by several individuals engaging in inappropriate communication, and requesting to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Detectives responded to the arranged meeting location and arrested the following individuals for unlawful communication with a minor, and solicitation of a minor for sex:
William Mullen, 33, of Bakersfield
Francisco Ceja, 29, of Bakersfield
Leonel Contreras 28, of Bakersfield
Dominique Walker, 33, of Bakersfield
Devon Armstrong, 25, of Bakersfield
Juan Sandoval, 29, of Bakersfield
During this operation, the multi-agency task force also conducted sex registrant compliance checks throughout Kern County and the City of Bakersfield. Eighteen other arrests were made for sex registration violations, parole violations, probation violations, weapons charges, narcotics, burglary, and several warrants. Eight vehicles were impounded.
We would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners for their assistance in this operation.
The Bakersfield Police Department encourages parents to communicate with their children about the potential dangers when navigating social media, and to be vigilant in monitoring who they may be communicating with. If you would like to schedule a free internet safety presentation for your community group, please contact the Bakersfield Police Department’s Community Relations Unit at (661) 326-3053
