In a recent undercover operation conducted by police investigators in Danville, six Bay Area residents, including a high school teacher, have been arrested for allegedly attempting to engage in sexual encounters with minors. The operation spanned 11 days, during which investigators posed as a 13-year-old on various social media and dating apps.
Charges have been filed against four of the arrested individuals, while prosecutors are reviewing cases against two others. Mahmut Guzelsu, Brady Godsey-Lally, and Elmer Ramirez-Lucha have been charged with arranging to meet a minor with lewd purposes. However, Alexander Hellmund, a 59-year-old Concord resident, faces a more serious charge of attempted kidnapping of a minor. Prosecutors allege that Hellmund arranged to bring a “13-year-old boy” back to his house for a sexual encounter, unaware that the “boy” was an undercover detective.
One of the suspects, Joseph Rudolfo Martinez, a 38-year-old English teacher from Hayward, was arrested after allegedly sending a sexually explicit photo to an undercover officer. The photo was reportedly taken in Martinez’s own classroom. Although he has been fired from his teaching position, Martinez has not yet been formally charged, as prosecutors are still reviewing the case. Another Hayward resident, James Walsh, was also arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnapping, but no charges have been filed against him at this time.
The operation, known as Operation Broken Heart, was carried out by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a collaboration of officers from various local agencies. Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized the importance of such undercover stings in ensuring public safety and stated that they will continue.
