‘Online chatting operations’ lead to numerous arrests

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - More than two dozen people were arrested recently after “online chatting operations,” according to the Chesterfield Police Department.

The Chesterfield Police Department say 13 people were arrested on a total of 29 charges on June 9; 14 suspects were arrested on a total of 27 charges on July 12.

“The July 12 operation was part of a multi-agency operation with Henrico County Police Division and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office to maximize enforcement efforts against prostitution activity in the Richmond area while targeting sex traffickers,” the Chesterfield Police Department said in a news release on Monday, July 18.

Those arrested on June 9 were:

• Tony D. Archie, 36, of Richmond
• Trevon R. Banks, 32, of Chesterfield
• Derrick M. Clarke, 45, of Chesterfield
• Luis A. Daiz Regalado, 46, of Chesterfield
• Charles W. Hawkins Jr., 39, of Richmond
• Gene A. Johnson Jr., 47, of Dinwiddie, Va.
• Christopher M. Nesbitt, 33, of Disputanta, Va.
• Jequon R. Smith, 27, Chesterfield, Va.
• Mark J. Strassel 58, Chesterfield, Va.
• Darren L. Thornton, 50, Mechanicsville, Va.
• David J. Walton, 46, of Keysville, Va.
• Justin T. West, Chesterfield, Va.
• Lashon G. Young, Petersburg, Va.

Those arrested on July 12 were:

• Hernan Castillo, 28, of Schuylar, Va.
• Harsh Gunthala, 30, Henrico, Va.
• Ezra M. Hill, 64, of Chesterfield, Va.
• Randy K. Kyle, 68, of Amelia, Va.
• Paulo R. Luna, 23, of Chesterfield, Va.
• Joseph E. Mastermaker, 31, of Chesterfield, Va.
• Marcuez Matias, 39, of Farmville, Va.
• Sean McGrath, 26, of Chesterfield, Va.
• Murtuza Agdulkhader, 39, of Henrico, Va.
• Andrew Pantana, 42, of Rustburg, Va.
• Jordan Sheffield, 29, of Mechanicsville, Va.
• Johnny Ticlavica, 28, of Chesterfield, Va.
• Edward T. Wharton, 45, of Chesterfield, Va.
• Trevor J. Winters, 30, of Chesterfield, Va.

All of the suspects are facing charges in connection with soliciting sex from adults through various online platforms, as well as numerous other charges.

On July 12, the Hanover Sheriff’s Office says the investigation led to five arrests there. The Henrico Police Department says the investigation led to four arrests there.

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