Multiple Arrests Made in Child Exploitation Operation

Major Crimes Division detectives from the Child Exploitation Unit recently conducted a three-day operation targeting online sexual predators.

Detectives, posing as juveniles, went online and within a very short period of time, received solicitations and sexually explicit images from men wanting to meet the “child” for the purpose of engaging in inappropriate sexual activity. The suspect and “child” would arrange a time and place to meet and when the suspect arrived, he was taken into custody.

The hard work of our detectives, along with those from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation , resulted in the arrest of eight offenders. Approximately 25 local and federal criminal charges were placed, including, solicitation of a minor, solicitation of a minor for prostitution, attempted indecent liberties with a minor (including a registered sex offender), and drug possession charges.

Six suspects are listed below; the Seventh has been intentionally withheld due to an ongoing investigation.

Arrest photographs appear below the name of the arrested.

Joseph Selkow Garcia (30) Woodbridge, Virginia. Indecent Liberties, Computer Solicitation.

Joshua Veary (23) Reston, Virginia. Three counts of Computer Solicitation.

Mohammad Abdo (20) Gainesville, Virginia. Solicitation for Prostitution, Computer Solicitation, Attempted Indecent Liberties.

Kirk Mason (43) Lothian, Maryland. Computer Solicitation.

Aristotle Panopoulos (33) McLean, Virginia. Computer Solicitation, Attempted Indecent Liberties.

Steven Hill (64) Woodbridge, Virginia. Computer Solicitation, Attempted Indecent Exposure.

Detectives want to emphasize, especially to parents, this type of crime is prevalent within our community. They encourage you to closely monitor your child’s online activity; not only for predators who want to engage in physical contact, but also for those who wish to send or receive pornographic images from children.

Anyone with information about crimes involving suspected child sexual exploitation is asked to contact the Major Crimes Division at 703-246-7800, or Crime Solvers electronically by visiting www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637)** or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

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