Two men arrested in separate undercover child predator stings
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office last week arrested two men as part of an undercover sting conducted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando Police Department. Detectives posed as underage girls on social media platforms, posting decoy ads to identify adults soliciting minors for sex.
Jason Ceballas-Gutierrez, 30, of Ocoee, was taken into custody Friday after allegedly traveling to Osceola County to meet who he thought was a 14-yearold girl. According to an arrest affidavit, Ceballas-Gutierrez began communicating online with an undercover Orange sheriff’s detective. Investigators say he acknowledged the girl’s age, discussed sexual acts and agreed to meet in person, stating he would bring condoms.
Deputies arrested Ceballas-Gutierrez around 11 p.m. at an East U.S. 192 convenience store. Authorities seized three condoms and a cell phone as evidence. During questioning, he reportedly claimed he intended to report the girl to police, but admitted to traveling for sex and requesting nude photos.
In a separate incident, Michael Diaz, 27, of St. Cloud, was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly responding to a decoy post created by the Orlando Police Department.
Investigators say Diaz exchanged text messages with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. During the conversation, he allegedly offered money for a sex act and requested nude photos to confirm she wasn’t law enforcement. “You realize how much trouble I could get in for doing something like this,” Diaz reportedly wrote. Deputies arrested Diaz at a fast food restaurant also on 192.
Both men have been charged with traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, solicitation of a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
New charges filed against St. Cloud man in child sex case A St. Cloud man is facing new charges in a child sexual abuse investigation that has spanned months and uncovered multiple victims, hidden surveillance and explicit digital evidence.
The Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office first arrested Eugene Goss, 73, in January following allegations that he molested a child under the age of 12.
The investigation began last September when a 15-year-old girl reported being sexually abused by Goss at age 12. Detectives also interviewed a 29-year-old woman who accused Goss of repeatedly abusing her at his residence during her childhood. She later participated in a controlled phone call with Goss, during which she confronted him about the abuse. According to the affidavit, Goss responded, “I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry.”
Following his January arrest, Goss admitted during a post-Miranda interview that he viewed pornography on his laptop and acknowledged that images of children had appeared on his screen. He claimed not to have downloaded the images, but this admission led investigators to obtain a search warrant for his home.
Three computers were seized, revealing explicit images of children, including photos taken with hidden cameras placed in bedrooms and bathrooms. Some images showed children showering or changing clothes without their knowledge or consent. Investigators were able to identify several of the children in the images, including photos taken during a Halloween celebration in October 2018, when children dressed in costumes were unknowingly recorded inside Goss’s home.
The Sheriff ’s Office on Aug. 14 added 10 charges of digital voyeurism by a family member or person in position of trust/ authority against Goss. Florida law defines digital voyeurism as the secret recording of individuals in private settings for sexual gratification or exploitation. The charges carry enhanced penalties when committed by someone in a position of trust or familial authority.
The court revoked the $25,000 Goss was released on in the January charges, and he is being held without bond at the Osceola County Jail and is prohibited from having any contact with minors under the age of 18. He remains scheduled for trial to begin Sept. 22 in the January case.
Kissimmee man arrested after reportedly exposing himself to teen The Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office is looking to see if there are any other victims of a man they say exposed himself to two juveniles last week.
Jose David Gonzalez-Rivera, 27, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one misdemeanor count of exposure of sexual organs. As of Wednesday afternoon, he remains held on bond at the Osceola County Jail.
On Friday, deputies responded to a report of lewd and lascivious behavior at a West U.S. Highway 192 bus stop near San Juan Circle, adjacent to the San Juan Apartments and Studio 6 Kissimmee hotel. A 16-year-old student reported that after getting off her school bus, a black Lexus sedan slowly pulled up next to her and asked if she wanted to make $100. As he asked the victim about making money, he exposed his sexual organs, Sheriff’s spokesperson Kim Montes said. While investigating the incident, deputies located another 15-year-old who reported a similar encounter with the suspect while her family was checking out of the hotel.
Special Victim’s Unit detectives responded to the area to investigate, and Gonzalez-Rivera was identified as the registered owner of the Lexus. Detectives sought and obtained an arrest warrant, and arrested him Tuesday.
While deputies say the incident was isolated and there are currently no other known victims, they are asking if this suspect approaching anyone else in a similar manner. Those with any information about this or similar incidents are asked to contact the Osceola Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222.
