Child Sex Social Media Sting Nets 5 Bay Area Suspects

BAY AREA, CA — Five men suspected of using social media to arrange sexual encounters with children face felony charges after being arrested in an East Bay sting.

The suspects traveled to Walnut Creek believing they were meeting children contacted through social media, investigators said.

Instead, they were met by undercover officers with the Walnut Creek Police Department and the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

They are suspected of attempting lewd acts with a minor, contacting a minor to commit a sex offense, and arranging to meet a minor for sex. One suspect also faces an additional attempted kidnapping charge, according to the Walnut Creek Police Department.

Authorities arrested:

• Andrew Garcia, 32, of Concord
• Billie Ray Breland, 29, of Antioch
• Jacek Markiewicz, 67, of Walnut Creek, who also faces an attempted kidnapping charge
• Taesu Park, 36, of Marin County
• Rudolf Naused Robl, 42, of Germany

Authorities did not release additional details about the investigation or say whether the suspects have entered pleas.