Hamden Man Charged In Child Predator Sting Operation: West Haven Police

WEST HAVEN, CT — A Hamden resident was among six men who were arrested in connection with an undercover sting operation involving a fictitious juvenile prostitute, according to West Haven police.

Police said the West Haven Special Victims Unit, supported by the Investigative Services Unit, Street Crime Unit, Patrol Division, and Meriden Police Department, worked in conjunction this month with the FBI - New Haven, Crimes Against Children Task Force “targeting child predators.”

“Undercover FBI agents began communicating with several different individuals online who were seeking sexual services from a fictitious underage, juvenile prostitute,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “At some point during the conversations, these individuals acknowledged the fictitious underage, juvenile prostitute’s age and agreed to provide money in exchange for sexual acts.”

When the men arrived a pre-arranged meet-up location, police said they were promptly taken into custody.

The following men were arrested, according to police:

1. Joseph Roy, 36, of Milford

2. Levi Mariel Mendoza Suchite, 22, of West Haven

3. Marquis Rumley, 36, of Hamden

4. Robert Lopez, 33, of Milford

5. Miguel Mandujano, 32, of Bridgeport

6. Matthew Durkin, 37, of Seymour

They were each charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury to a minor – sexual contact, victim under 16, criminal attempt at second-degree sexual assault, and criminal attempt at commercial sex abuse of a minor. They were each held in lieu of a $500,000 bond, according to police.