Detectives charged 16 Central Florida registered sexual offenders and predators during a recent initiative.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Response Team conducted an initiative aimed at ensuring compliance with Florida’s registration laws for convicted sex offenders and sex predators (FSS 775.21 & 943.0435)* within Polk County. Detectives charged 16 suspects with failure to comply with registration laws and/or violation of probation.
There are 1,256 sexual offenders and 153 sexual predators registered in Polk County. Registered offenders and predators are checked every quarter by Polk County law enforcement officers to ensure they are in compliance with Florida’s sexual offender/predator registration laws, although the state requirement is for only predators to be checked quarterly, and offenders once a year. During the initiative Polk County Sheriff’s Office SVRT detectives arrested 16 offenders and predators – each of these suspects have prior sex offenses involving a child.
“Our detectives work hard year-round to keep track of convicted sexual offenders and predators who reside in Polk County to ensure they remain compliant with the law,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “It is our mission to keep our community – especially the children within our community – safe. That is why we conduct initiatives like this one. These 16 suspects learned the hard way that we take every one of the requirements seriously, and failure to comply will result in an arrest.”
During Central Florida undercover investigation, Operation Child Protector V, suspects charged with crimes related to travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity.
The following is a list of those arrested (16) during this sexual offender initiative, and a summary of their offenses:
Robert Miranda, 32, of Titusville, FL. Miranda is a sexual offender based on a 2001 conviction of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12-15 years old. He was recently arrested in Brevard County on a Polk County warrant for attempted kidnapping (of a child), indecent exposure, and lewd and lascivious exhibition. During that investigation detectives found he had violated three different sex offender registration laws, regarding his vehicles and address. He was charged with 3 counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Rodney Van David Williams, 47, of Plant City, FL. Williams is a sexual offender based on a 2006 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between 12-15 years old. He has 2016 and 2018 convictions for failure to comply with sex offender registration laws. He was arrested again for failing to register his address with PCSO and the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with 2 counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Kevin Hairston, 31, of 4284 Old Dixie Hwy, Auburndale. Hairston is a sexual offender based on a 2022 conviction for possession of child pornography. He is on probation until 2027. He was arrested for failing to report Internet use (he has a Plenty of Fish account); he’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws, and Violation of Probation.
Vondale Barnes, 45, of 1409 Dawn Heights Drive, Lakeland. Barnes is a sexual predator based on a 2012 conviction of sexual battery on a child. He is on probation until 2035. He was arrested for failing to update his address and maintain a valid license with the Florida DHSMV. Barnes was charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Predator Registration laws, and Violation of Probation.
Juanel Mikulak, 36, of 1378 Merrimack Place in Davenport. Mikulak is a sexual offender based on a 2008 conviction for 2 counts criminal sexual conduct, in Minnesota. He was arrested for failing to register a vehicle and maintain a valid license with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with 2 counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Edwin Pagan Gonzalez, 47, of 72 Suburban Drive in Lake Alfred. Gonzalez is a sexual offender based on a 2022 conviction for use of a computer to seduce a child. He was arrested in Orange County on a Polk Warrant for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Joseph Coppins, 57, of 2117 Cabernet Court in Eagle Lake. Coppins is a sexual offender based on a 2017 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a child under 16. He was arrested for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Brenda Kay Barton, 56, of 9400 US Hwy 192 #221 in Clermont. Barton is a sexual offender based on a 2006 conviction for procurement of a child for prostitution, in Colorado. She was arrested for failing to update her Florida license with the Florida DHSMV; she’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Timothy Demoura, 39, of 3020 Mar Lisa Cove Road in Lake Wales. Demoura is a sexual offender based on a 2018 conviction for possession of child pornography. He was arrested for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Mitchell Leo Thurston, 39, of 329 Andover Drive in Davenport. Thurston is a sexual offender based on a 2008 conviction for sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12. He was arrested for failing to update his Florida license with the Florida DHSMV; he’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Barbara Bernice Griffith, 49, of 24 Tennessee Lane in Auburndale. Griffith is a sexual offender based on a 2001 conviction for unlawful sexual activity with a minor between 16-17 years old. She was arrested for failing to register a vehicle with the Florida DHSMV; she’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Homer Dewayne Rudd, 71, of 4710 Hunt Road in Bartow. Rudd is a sexual offender based on a 2015 conviction for possession of child pornography. He was arrested for failing to register within a required month; he’s been charged with Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Mark Osgood, 24, of 4780 New Tampa Hwy in Lakeland. Osgood is a sexual offender based on a 2010 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a victim under 16. He was arrested for failing to register his address and update his license; he’s been charged with 2 counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
John Camarena, 34, of 666 Lake Dexter Circle in Winter Haven. Camarena is a sexual offender based on a 2009 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between 12-15 years old, in California. He was arrested for failing to update his license; he’s been charged with 2 counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
WANTED:
James Macarthur Johnson, 39, at large. Johnson is a sexual offender based on a 2019 conviction for unlawful sexual activity with a minor. He has failed to report his residence to PCSO and the Florida DHSMV; he has a warrant for his arrest for 2 counts Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
Antone Renar Starks, 48, at large. Starks is a sexual offender based on a 2000 conviction for lewd and lascivious battery on a child under 16. He has failed to update his license with the Florida DHSMV; he has a warrant for his arrest for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration laws.
If you have information regarding Johnson’s or Starks’ whereabouts and wish to remain anonymous, contact Heartland Crime Stoppers in one of four ways:
- CALL 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)
- DIAL **TIPS from your cell phone
- VISIT the website CrimeStoppers and click on “Submit A Tip,”
- DOWNLOAD the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
*Convicted sex offenders and sex predators are required by Florida law to register and maintain updated information regarding the following identifying information: name; social security number; age; race; sex; date of birth; height; weight; tattoos or other identifying marks; hair and eye color; photograph; address of legal residence (or temporary residence); electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; employment information; driver’s license or Florida ID information; the make, model, color, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license tag number of all vehicles owned.
