LEHI, Utah — A Paralympic athlete is facing felony charges after he allegedly traveled to Lehi in hopes of sexually assaulting what he believed were two young girls he met online, but instead was an undercover police officer.
Gilbert Camacho, 24, from New Jersey, was arrested Monday on two counts of Rape of a Child and an additional two counts of Sodomy.
According to court documents, a Lehi police officer was conducting a multi-day undercover chat operation when they became aware of Camacho, who had allegedly been communicating over the internet to meet and sexually abuse two girls, ages 5 and 8 years old.
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Camacho believed he was communicating with the mother of the children when he was arranging the meeting. Police said when Camacho was asked what he was looking for with the children, he replied, "Use them," and added that he had "experience with their ages."
When Camacho arrived at the time and location that had been arranged with who he thought was the mother, police were able to take him into custody without incident. While searching Camacho's vehicle, they found a gun, as well as a bag of candy that the alleged mother had told him to bring.
“Access to the internet changed everything," explained Utah Valley University professor and retired FBI agent Greg Rogers. "Pedophiles who get online are very manipulative, very creative, always finding new ways and trying to develop patterns or practices so they don’t get caught.”
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Some Lehi parents also have concerns about people on the internet.
“The threats that we face aren’t as visible as maybe they used to be," said parent Melissa Dunstant. "For little ones as they get older, there are predators out there that are targeted in reaching out, in ways that children or even teenagers don’t recognize.”
Even parents with younger children told me they’re starting to plan ahead.
“As they get older, I will have to monitor everything and make sure they’re not going online. I feel like it’s happening younger and younger that they’re able to go online,” Jenna Calder said.
At the Utah Office of Families, Aimee Winder Newton recommends that families set up a family media plan.
“Figure out as a family what is going to help keep your kid safe, and what your rules are," she explained. "If you set them up out front, it’s so much better and easier. Have tech-free zones and foster in-person friendships.”
During an interview with detectives, Camacho claimed he was acting as a vigilante and that he had arranged the meeting to humiliate and potentially assault the mother. He added that he planned to call the police but wanted to meet with the mother to confront her.
Camacho said he associated with a group called the "Miami Avengers," who find individuals who try to meet children for sex. The report said that Camacho stated, "he never intended on sexually abusing the children."
The arrest report said Camacho, who competed in an event in Park City last year, is a member of Puerto Rico's Paralympic ski team. However, that has been disputed, and his participation with that team is not verified.
