10-14-2024 3:58pm

New Mexico AG Announced Arrests of Suspected Online Predators in Multi-Agency Chat Operation

Chris Edwards Editor

Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the successful results of Operation Overwatch, an undercover online chat investigation targeting child predators. The operation led to the arrest of more than eight individuals, all charged with crimes including child solicitation via electronic devices, attempted criminal sexual penetration, and other related offenses. Each defendant had sought to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

Agents from the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) spearheaded the operation, with vital support from multiple law enforcement partners. These agencies collaborated in conducting undercover operations, apprehending perpetrators, and carrying out arrests. Key partners included the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Albuquerque Police Department (APD), Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

El Paso Homeland Security Investigations agents helped authorities in New Mexico apprehend eight suspected child sexual predators and issue a warrant for a ninth alleged offender.

The suspects used online chat and messaging platforms to arrange for sexual acts with persons they believed to be minors or parents availing their children for such acts, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez said.

The detainees include a middle school teacher from Albuquerque, a University of New Mexico graduate research assistant and a Bernalillo County man who wanted to “impregnate” a 15-year-old girl, state and federal officials said at a news conference on Monday.

“One of the most horrific crimes the FBI investigates is child exploitation; it’s the reason we pursue these predators so aggressively and in tandem with our law enforcement partners,” said Raul Bujanda, FBI Albuquerque special agent in charge. “Combining resources through such operations sends a unified message that exploiting society’s most vulnerable will not be tolerated, offenders will be caught, and the fullest extent of the law will be applied.”

The suspects contacted decoy accounts created by the NMDOJ and assisting agencies. These accounts consisted of underage users and, in some cases, parents who were interested in “offering” their children up for sex in exchange for money. Accounts were hosted on several online sites such as, Kik, SkiptheGames, MocoSpace, Discord, Grindr, Fetlife and Sniffies.

“Agents involved in this operation conducted meticulous surveillance and were strategically staged inside two homes in Albuquerque,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Once inside, they waited for the perpetrators to arrive, ensuring the operation ran smoothly and safely before making the arrests. This coordinated effort is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our team and our law enforcement partners. We will continue to relentlessly pursue predators who target our communities and ensure they are brought to justice.”

HSI is unwavering in its dedication to working tirelessly with our local, state, and federal partners to protect children,” said Jason T. Stevens, acting special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “This enforcement action has effectively removed harmful child predators from our communities, sending a powerful message to those seeking to harm children for their satisfaction. Undoubtedly, it has spared some children from the anguish of being sexually victimized.”

Sheriff John Allen expressed his strong support for the collaborative efforts during Operation Overwatch, stating, “This operation underscores the critical role of our partnership with federal and local agencies in protecting the vulnerable from exploitation. The arrests demonstrate our collective commitment to proactive law enforcement and community safety. By working together, we are more effectively deterring predatory behavior and ensuring a safer environment for all.”

Operation Overwatch resulted in the arrests of the following suspected child predators:

Rafael Eduardo Rosas

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Penetration (Force or Coercion) Attempt

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

On October 5, 2024, Rafael Eduardo Rosas contacted a decoy account that identified as underage asking if she was a bait cop before asking about her rates. After confirmation that the decoy was a 15-year-old female, Rosas contacted the decoy again the next day, asked for nude photos and arranged a meeting for described oral sex. The next day, October 6, he arrived at the meet-up point to engage in sexual acts. Upon arrival, he was apprehended and interviewed by agents from the NMDOJ and BCSO.

Jonathan M Rodriguez

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device and Meets with a Child (Child Under 13)

2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Penetration Attempt (Child Under 13)

2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison

On October 5, 2024, Jonathan M Rodriguez contacted and engaged in illicit conversations with an underage, undercover user via Kik. On October 6, Rodriguez reinitiated contact and, after confirming the decoy’s sexual history and age, explicitly stated he wanted to have sex with her. He further confirmed her age by asking what grade she was in. Upon soliciting photos of what the child was wearing, he arrived at the meetup location to engage in sexual activity with the minor. Upon arrival, he was apprehended and interviewed by agents from the NMDOJ and BCSO.

Matthew Ray Jaramillo

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Penetration Attempt (Force or Coercion)

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

On October 5, 2024, Jaramillo made contact with a decoy account claiming to be a 15-year-old female via a SkiptheGames ad. Jaramillo texted the decoy, outside the site, and discussed “impregnating” the child several times. Conversation continued and on October 8 Jaramillo made reference to sexually penetrating the child before arranging to meet. He arrived at the meet-up location where he was apprehended and interviewed by agents from the NMDOJ and BCSO.

Stephen Charles Phillips

Count 1: Sexual Exploitation of Children by Prostitution (Hires) (Attempt)

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Penetration Attempt (Child Under 13)

2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison

On October 9, 2024, officers located a posting on the website Fetlife allegedly posted by Phillips, a middle-school teacher in Albuquerque, looking for a “Baby girl to spoil” and “try new toys out on.” The post continued to discuss explicit sexual penetration. The undercover persona contacted the poster, posing as a dad willing to offer his child for sex. The chat was moved to the message application, Kik, where Phillips proceeded to state that any sexual contact with the child would not be legal. After confirming the child was 12 years old, he requested photos of the child. When he arrived at the meeting location, he was apprehended and interviewed by agents from the NMDOJ

Mahmoud Telfah

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o) and Meets with a Child

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Penetration (Force or Coercion)

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

Count 3: Sexual Exploitation of Children by Prostitution (Hires) (Attempt)

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

On October 8, 2024, Telfah, a UNM graduate student who teaches classes at the University, connected with an undercover account posing to be a 15-year-old female via a SkiptheGames ad. Using the telephone number on the ad, Telfah contacted the underage user. Upon confirmation of the child’s age, Telfah asked the price of a “hand j,” followed by asking the price of “everything.” Through further conversation, a price, location and time for a meetup was agreed upon. The next day, Tuesday, October 9, Mahmoud arrived at the designated location to engage in sexual activity. He was apprehended by the NMDOJ and APD.

Samantha G Clark

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device and Meets with a Child (Child Under 13)

2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison

Count 2: Criminal Sexual Penetration Attempt (Child Under 13)

2nd Degree Felony; 0-9 years in prison

Count 3: Sexual Exploitation of Children by Prostitution (Attempt)

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

On October 9, 2024, an undercover persona posed as a father on the website Fetlife and was contacted on Samantha Clark, who expressed interest in meeting the undercover persona’s “cub.” Clark was informed that the “cub” was a 12-year-old female and continued to describe liking “everything forced” and was interested in engaging in penetration of the child. Later that day, the defendant arrived at the meet-up location after knowingly and intentionally soliciting a child to engage in sexual activity. She was apprehended by the NMDOJ and APD.

Sean A. Rhea

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child Under 13)

3rd Degree Felony; 0-3 years in prison

Count 2: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16)

4th Degree Felony; 0-1.5 years in prison

Two agents, from different law enforcement agencies were contacted by Sean Rhea who believed the separate accounts were underage females. On October 3, 2024, agents using the online side, Locanto, were solicited to have sex with Rhea, despite Rhea knowing the user was a 12-year-old girl. Similarly, agents using Badoo, an online dating site, were contacted by Rhea who also began soliciting the child to engage in sexual activity. The NMDOJ worked with BCSO to execute the arrest warrant for the solicitation charge. Rhea is now in custody at MDC.

Jonmichael Seagroves

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o)

4th Degree Felony; 0-1.5 years in prison

Between October 1st and October 9th, an undercover detective (BCSO) posing as a 13-year-old female was contacted by Seagroves on Mocospace and eventually moved to text message. Seagroves solicited sexual acts and sent sexually explicit images of himself to the detective. The NMDOJ worked with BCSO to execute the arrest warrant for the solicitation charge. Seagroves is now in custody at MDC.

Stephen Joseph Rittereiser – Warrant Out for Arrest

Pending charge upon arrest:

Count 1: Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device (Child 13-16 y/o)

4th Degree Felony; 0-1.5 years in prison

On October 7, agents who were posing as a 15-year-old female, were contacted by Stephen Rittereiser through a “Skipthegames.com” ad. Rittereiser began sending inappropriate images and soliciting sex from the underage user, despite the user stating that she was 15 years old. An arrest warrant has been issued for Rittereiser’s arrest.

Below are copies of the arrest warrants, criminal complaints, as well as the slide deck from today’s press conference.

Slide Deck: Operation Overwatch

Criminal Complaints:

Telfah Criminal Complaint

Seagroves Criminal Complaint

Seagroves Arrest Warrant

Jaramillo Criminal Complaint

Phillips Criminal Complaint

Rhea Arrest Warrant

Rhea Criminal Complaint