Operation Creep Sweep Targets Central Florida Sex Offenders, Predators

Operation Creep Sweep was a two-month operation targeting Central Florida sexual predators and offenders.




According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, 12 people were arrested during Operation Creep Sweep.

In addition to three suspects arrested for traveling to meet a minor for sex, this operation also focused on sex offenders and predators who were previously convicted of crimes against children.

According to local law enforcement, several of the defendants were found to be using email and social media accounts that were not registered as required by Florida law.

Those arrested in Central Florida’s Operation Creep Sweep were:

• Joshua Jobe
  *Sex offender*
  Charges: 4 counts – Sex offender violation: Failing to register (social media and email accounts); 50 counts – Possession of sexual performance by a child
• Patrick Fulton
  *Sex offender*
  Charges: 4 counts – Sex offender violation: Failing to register (email addresses and vehicle)
• Thomas Yates
  *Sex offender*
  Charges: 4 counts – Sex offender violation: Failing to register (social media accounts)
• Ervin Jones
  *Sexual predator*
  Charges: 3 counts – Sex offender violation: Failing to register (social media accounts)
• Brian Eckelbecker
  *Sex offender*
  Charges: 5 counts – Sex offender violation: Failing to register (social media accounts)
• John Fontaine
  Charges: 2 counts – Lewd or lascivious conduct
• Jose Renteria
  Charges: Transmitting obscene/harmful material to minors, Unlawful use of two-way communication device, Promoting sexual behavior by a child
• Andres Escobar
  Charges: Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity,Using a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity, Unlawful use of two-way communication device
• Darren East
  Charges: Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, Using a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity, Unlawful use of two-way communication device
• Rodolfo Odio Diaz
  Charges: Traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, Using a computer/Internet service to solicit a minor for sexual activity, Unlawful two of two-way communication device, Possession of paraphernalia, (currently has illegal immigrant/alien hold at jail)
• Mathieu Lortie
  Charges: 20 counts – Possession of sexual performance by a child, (currently has illegal immigrant/alien hold at jail)
• John McVeigh
  Charges: 8 counts – Possession of sexual performance by a child

Operation Creep Sweep was a joint effort involving the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (including our Child Exploitation Unit, Career Criminal Unit, and Crime Suppression Teams), the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the State Attorney, Florida’s 7th Circuit, and the Port Orange Police Department.