An undercover child sex predator sting in Volusia County led to more than three dozen arrests, including a former local police officer.

Raymond Smith, 47, of South Daytona, a bail bondsman and a former New Smyrna Beach police officer, was arrested for possession of child pornography found on his work cell phone, authorities said.

Smith was one of more than three dozen men and women arrested for targeting children for sex, prostitution or distribution of child pornography.

Each of the suspects thought they had made arrangements to meet a child for sex. Many of the men were caught with drugs, condoms and sex toys, and one man even brought chicken nuggets.

"The amount of it going on is really scary, and sad that there are people out there that are trying to take advantage of the children," said Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson.

Called "Operation PredaTour," the undercover sting took months of officers posing as children online, waiting to be propositioned.

Officials said each decoy made it abundantly clear to identify themselves as a child age 14 or younger, yet men ranging in age from 20–59 years old traveled from all over Florida to meet what they believed to be an underage girl.

"If you try to approach children thinking that you're going to have sex with children, you may be approaching us in law enforcement, and we will be there to get you," Johnson said.

More than 20 local, state and federal agencies wrapped up the operation Saturday night, and it was no coincidence that the sting took place during Bike Week in Daytona Beach.

"We thought it might be a good time," Johnson said. "A lot of people in town."

Officials said illegal sex trade in the area is common for special events.

Two people, including Smith, were arrested for possession of child pornography. Those two cases remain under investigation.

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Operation PredaTour:

Arrested for meeting a minor for sex:

  • Patrick Antoine, 21, of Daytona Beach
  • Alan Behnke, 51, of Ormond Beach
  • Vincent Cafarella, 26, of Palm Coast
    • Also charged with possession of marijuana
  • Samuel Fanfan, 27, of Palm Coast
    • Also charged with possession of marijuana
  • Andrew Gangale, 46, of Delray Beach
  • Carsten Haaland, 21, of Port Orange
  • Derick Hendrix, 24, of Port Orange
  • Steven Mandzuk, 24, of Daytona Beach
  • Michael Maurer, 24, of Daytona Beach
  • Levi McEntire, 25, of Waldron, Arkansas
    • Also charged with transmitting a sex act to a minor by a computer
  • Kevonta McMillian, 21, of Daytona Beach
  • Brooks Mitchell, 53, of St. Augustine
    • Also charged with transmitting a sex act to a minor by a computer
  • Skylar Nedbalek, 25, of Daytona Beach
  • Dustin Notz, 20, of Edgewater
  • Aaron Pohler, 23, of Huntington, Indiana
  • Kyle Reaves, 27, of Astor
  • Chester Ringwald IV, 25, of Ormond Beach
  • Glen Ross, 49, of Jacksonville
  • Richard Sanger, 59, of New Smyrna Beach
  • Michael Smith, 24, of Theresa, Wisconsin
  • Benjamin Williams, 39, of Lacey, Washington
    • Also charged with 2 counts of transmitting a sex act to a minor by a computer

Arrested on prostitution charges:

  • Francis Bunting, 41, of Durham, NC
    • Human trafficking
  • Danielle Edwards, 27, of Port Orange
    • Solicitation to commit prostitution
  • Kim Geiselman, Age 62, South Attleboro, MA
    • Human trafficking
    • Possession of marijuana under 20 grams
    • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Jessica Greenfield, 27, of Daytona Beach
    • Offer or agree to secure another for a lewd act
  • Damien Hill, 35, of Daytona Beach
    • Human trafficking
    • Possession of cocaine
  • Alicia Holmstrand, 27, of Daytona Beach
    • Solicitation to commit prostitution
  • Simmons Melvina, 26, of Daytona Beach
    • Aiding, abetting or committing prostitution
  • Ashley Morris, 23, of Rantoul, Ill
    • Aiding, abetting or committing prostitution
  • Santana Murphy, 19, of Daytona Beach
    • Human trafficking
  • Lashera Powell, 28, of Daytona Beach
    • Solicitation to commit prostitution
  • Scott Racki, 38, of Ormond Beach
    • Unlawful possession of cocaine
    • Unlawful possession of marijuana over 20 grams
    • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Elizabeth Schaffer, 24, of Daytona Beach
    • Solicitation to commit prostitution
  • Bobbie Strausbaugh, 33, of Daytona Beach
    • Aiding, abetting or committing prostitution
  • Rino Venditti, 55, of Ontario, Canada
    • Human trafficking
  • Celena Welborn, 37, of Daytona Beach
    • Battery
  • Tequila Williams, 20, of Daytona Beach
    • Aiding, abetting or committing prostitution
  • Sebastian Xicalhua, 37, of Daytona Beach
    • Aiding, abetting or committing prostitution

2 charged with child pornography:

  • Christopher Evans, 27, of DeLand
    • 15 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child
  • Raymond Smith, 47, of South Daytona
    • 3 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child

20 cooperating agencies

  • North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
  • ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Brevard-Volusia Child Exploitation Task Force
  • State Attorney's Office for Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit
  • Homeland Security Investigations
  • FBI
  • Daytona Beach Police
  • U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Florida
  • Florida Department of Law Enforcement
  • Office of Statewide Prosecution
  • Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation
  • Ormond Beach Police
  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office
  • Brevard County Sheriff's Office
  • Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
  • Seminole County Sheriff's Office
  • St. Johns County Sheriff's Office
  • Gainesville Police
  • Palm Bay Police
  • Pensacola Police
  • Tallahassee Police