VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Eustis man was arrested during a Volusia Sheriff’s Office undercover operation earlier this month targeting individuals who use the internet and apps to exploit children, according to Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Colton James Gregory, 19, is accused of chatting with what he believed to be a 14-year-old child on July 11 and driving to Volusia County to meet the child, according to a charging affidavit.
Using an online platform, Gregory allegedly made sexually explicit comments to a detective posing as a child. Most of the messages contained in the affidavit are too vulgar for publication, but one message stated, “u want me to grab condoms?”
Gregory allegedly exchanged photos with the detective and claimed he was 16, according to the affidavit.
They planned to meet at an undisclosed location in Volusia County, and around 5 p.m. the same day, Gregory arrived at the agreed location and was taken into custody by VSO. He was arrested for traveling to meet a minor, using a computer/internet service to solicit a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office body-worn camera footage of Colton’s Gregory’s arrest. (Volusia Sheriff’s Office)
He was transported to the VSO Operations Center for questioning, where he requested a lawyer and detectives ended the interview. He was transported to the Volusia County Jail and released on $55,000 bond.
Six more men were arrested during the operation: Robert James “Coach Rosco” Rece, 38, of DeLeon Springs; Brandon Pierre Rutledge, 35, of Altamonte Springs; Logan Banks, 32, of Madison, Tenn.; Dion Kendal Jackson, 31, of Daytona Beach; Felix Mendez II, 28, of Port Orange and Temur Khujabekov, 31, of Orlando.
