Adam John Mazurkevich, 32, (left) and Richard Dale Hadad, 45, (right) each face a charge of using a computer to seduce, solicit and/or lure a child and a charge of traveling to meet a minor after use of a computer to lure a child. (Cocoa PD Image)
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – Cocoa Police Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division arrested two males for illegal sex crimes following a sting operation designed to capture sexual predators using the internet to find underage victims.
Adam John Mazurkevich, 32, and Richard Dale Hadad, 45, each face a charge of using a computer to seduce, solicit and/or lure a child and a charge of traveling to meet a minor after use of a computer to lure a child.
The investigation was part of a proactive effort to prevent victimization of juveniles and hinder the online activity of sexual predators who use the internet to lure young victims.
On Thursday during two separate conversations, each suspect arranged to meet who they thought was an underage girl for sex, according to Yvonne Martinez of the Cocoa Police Department.
An undercover officer met each suspect at an undisclosed location where a pair of officers made the arrests.
“During the pre-arranged meeting each of the suspects were very specific in what they wanted to do with the ‘victim’,” said Detective Ben Erskine.
“We have documented conversations with each of them where they acknowledged they knew she was a minor and they still wanted to meet for a sexual encounter.”
Both suspects are facing second-degree felony charges which is punishable by up to 15-years in prison if convicted.
Michael Cantaloupe
“We are going to continue to be proactive about stopping this type of activity,” said Chief Mike Cantaloupe.
“Parents need to aggressively monitor their children’s online activity and take whatever precautions are available to secure home computer and internet accessibility. The predators are out there and are aggressively searching. Be aware and protect your children.”
