Six suspects arrested in child sex predator & human trafficking sting, parents urged to remain vigilant

Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 3:37pm

Six suspects have been arrested as part of a multi-jurisdictional undercover sting operation targeting child sex predators and human traffickers.

The December 5 and 6 joint operation involved undercover officers and agents posing as juveniles and traffickers. The suspects solicited the agents for sex or some other purpose, and meetings were set up in various locations throughout Wake Forest where they were taken into custody.

The WFPD identified the six suspects arrested (charges in parentheses):

  • Frank Ferlo Jr., age 60, 3308 Beach Plum Court, Raleigh, NC (Solicit by Computer/Appear)

  • Anwar Antuan Overby, age 40, 2 Griffith Place, Durham, NC (Attempted First Degree Statutory Rape)

  • Amadeo Vargas-Varela, age 49, 4004 Virginia St., #4, Raleigh, NC (Solicit Prostitution Minor)

  • Jason Malone Lartigue, age 42, 226 Bridge Point Dr., Rolesville, NC (Solicit Prostitution Minor)

  • Calixto Gomez-Carreno, age 43, 104 Broughton St., Garner, NC (Solicit Prostitution Minor)

  • Esteban Javier Alvarez-Medina, age 47, 1936 Dunfield Dr., Fuquay-Varina, NC (Solicit Prostitution Minor)

Police officials say one of the reasons child sex crimes and human trafficking are on the rise is because predators now have access to their victims via home computers and cell phones. As a result, parents should stay vigilant by keeping track of what their children are doing online and off and by asking questions. Parents can also use apps designed to monitor computer use.

The Wake Forest Police Department wishes to thank the FBI Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Unit (CACHTU), Wake County District Attorney’s Office, and Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office for their participation and assistance in the operation.