OCALA, Fla. – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando was part of a multi-agency online child exploitation investigation that has led to the return of separate indictments for three Florida men for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Devin Joseph Rivera, 24, of Ocala, Rickey Lee Miller, Jr., 45, of Ocala and Obdy Mencia Guerrero, 40, of Honduras, each face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison if convicted. Additionally, Mencia Guerrero has been charged with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported noncitizen and faces an additional two years imprisonment. All three individuals are currently detained pending the resolution of their criminal cases.
Devin Joseph Rivera
According to court records, on July 26, 2024, a special agent with HSI posed undercover as a 13-year-old girl on an online social media platform. Rivera contacted the undercover agent’s account. The conversation between Rivera and the UC spanned three different online messaging platforms. Rivera engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the UC, whom Rivera believed was a 13-year-old girl. Rivera and the UC agreed to meet at a predetermined location in Marion County to have sex. When Rivera arrived at that location, law enforcement arrested him. A search of Rivera’s person revealed an opened condom and a cellphone. The cellphone was confirmed to be the same one used to communicate with the undercover detective.
Rickey Lee Miller, Jr.
According to court records, on July 27, 2024, a detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging platform. Miller contacted the undercover detective’s account and asked if she wanted to “hang out.” Miller then engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the detective. During the conversation, Miller asked the detective if she would be interested in having “some fun” with himself and a friend. Miller asked the detective to lie to his friend, stating, “and one more thing will you tell my friend your 18 I really don’t want her to know your real age.” Ultimately, Miller and his friend arrived at a predetermined location to meet with the minor. Law enforcement arrested him. The cellphone in Miller’s vehicle was confirmed to be the same one used to communicate with the undercover detective.
Obdy Mencia Guerrero
According to court documents, on July 27, 2024, Mencia Guerrero contacted an undercover MCSO deputy who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. After acknowledging the undercover deputy’s age, Mencia Guerrero told her they could have sex. Mencia Guerrero and the deputy arranged to meet at a location in Marion County. Upon his arrival at the location, Mencia Guerrero was arrested. Mencia Guerrero is a citizen of Honduras. He was previously deported from the United States on four occasions — Jan. 16, 2003, April 11, 2011, Aug. 8, 2011, and June 2, 2014. He never had obtained permission to lawfully re-enter the United States.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
These cases were investigated by HSI Orlando, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Chiefland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg is prosecuting them.
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