Concord man among 6 arrested for child exploitation crimes
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 22, 2024) — The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged several Bay Area men with offenses related to child exploitation.
The arrests occurred after the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted Operation Broken Heart. This operation took place from February 26, 2024, to March 7, 2024. It resulted in the arrests of six men in total.
The DA has already charged four of the men. Two cases are still being reviewed by prosecutors.
Operation Broken Heart aimed to identify individuals on the internet with the intent to travel to meet minors and engage in sex acts. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Danville Police Department ran the operation. They also worked with multiple local, state, and federal agencies that make up the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has been an integral part of my office’s policies on public safety. Operation Broken Heart is an example of how the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement work together in making Contra Costa County safer from those who engage in criminal acts to harm children.”
The following is a summary of each arrest:
Alexander Derrick Hellmund, 59-years-old, Concord Resident
On February 29, 2024, Alexander Hellmund arrived at an apartment complex in Danville to pick up a 13-year-old boy and take the minor to Concord to engage in sex acts with him. Officers arrested Hellmund and booked him for felonies. These included attempting to kidnap a minor for sex (PC 664/207(b), attempted lewd acts with a minor (664/288(a), and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b). On March 4, 2024, the DA’s Office formally charged Hellmund with the above-mentioned felonies.
Elmer Desiderio Ramirez-Lucha, 45-years-old, Pittsburg Resident
On February 28, 2024, Elmer Ramirez arrived at an apartment complex in Danville to meet a 13-year-old girl to engage in sex acts. Officers arrested Ramirez and booked him for felonies. These included attempted lewd acts with a minor (664/288(a) and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b). On March 1, 2024, the DA’s Office formally charged Ramirez with the above-mentioned felonies.
Mahmut Guzelsu, 27-years-old, Benicia Resident
On February 28, 2024, Mahmut Guzelsu arrived at a park in Danville to meet a 13-year-old girl to engage in sex acts. Officers arrested Guzelsu and booked him for felonies. These included attempted lewd acts with a minor (664/288(a) and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b). He was released on bail. The DA’s Office formally charged Guzelsu with the above-mentioned felonies.
Brady Allen Godsey-Lally, 27-years-old, Brentwood Resident
On March 7, 2024, Brady Godsey-Lally arrived at an apartment complex in Danville to meet a 13-year-old girl to engage in sex acts. Officers arrested Godsey and booked him for felonies. These included attempted lewd acts with a minor (664/288(a) and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b). On March 11, 2024, the DA’s Office formally charged Godsey with the above-mentioned felonies.
James Paul Walsh, 44-years-old, Hayward Resident
On March 1, 2024, James Walsh engaged in chats with an undercover officer posting as a 13-year-old girl. Walsh told the undercover officer he wanted to pick her up and transport her to his house in Hayward to engage in sex acts. When Walsh arrived at an apartment complex in Danville, officers took him into custody. They booked Walsh for attempting to kidnap a minor for sex (PC 664/207(b), attempted lewd acts with a minor (664/288(a)), and arranging to meet a minor for sex (PC 288.4(b). Walsh posted bail and prosecutors have the case under review.
Joseph Rudolfo Martinez, 38-years-old, Union City Resident
On February 26, 2024, Joseph Martinez began to chat with two undercover officers, posing as 13-year-old girls. Martinez sent the officers images of his genitals. He indicated he was a teacher, and that he took the image of his genitals in his classroom. Investigators determined Martinez worked as a 10th grade English teacher at Tennyson High School in Hayward. Martinez also asked the minors to produce child sexual abuse material for him. On March 1, 2024, a search warrant was executed at his house in Union City. Officers arrested Martinez and booked him for sending harmful material to a minor and the attempted production of child pornography. Martinez has since posted bail. The case remains under review by prosecutors.
Task force
The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force comprises detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Concord, Brentwood, Danville, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Pittsburg and Oakley Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Special Agents and forensic examiners from the United States Secret Service, Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
ICAC acknowledged the aid of the San Jose Police Department, the FBI, and the Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force for their substantial assistance in the operation.
Parents, guardians, and caretakers should talk to their children about social media and smartphone safety. You can find resources for these topics at the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Common Sense Media.