Polk County sting nets three with local ties

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POLK COUNTY  Grady Judd, sheriff of Polk County, announced arrests of at least 17 men across Central Florida this week, part of a sting operation called "April's Fools."

"Fools" in this week-long operation refers to 18 men who were attempting to seduce children into sex via the Internet, text messages and even phones. Law enforcers were posing as children on the other end to set up potential pedophiles.

Three men have had ties to West Orange County: Jeffrey Erich Binder, 26, of Winter Garden; Michael Fernandez, 21, a car washer in Ocoee; and Robert Michael Gordon, 20, of Clermont, a former Central Florida Christian Academy football voluntary equipment manager.

Gordon had resigned from CFCA before allegations surfaced -- let alone his April 2 arrest -- CFCA officials said in a press release.

"Gordon began with CFCA in January as a volunteer equipment manager after serving in a similar role at a large local public high school for the 2015 season," officials said. "Through his equipment duties, Gordon had been assisting the CFCA football coaching staff for the spring 7-on-7 season. Gordon’s duties with the school were relegated exclusively to after-school practices, and his role did not afford him any opportunities to be alone with students."

Officials said CFCA followed all protocol to screen Gordon, who had passed Level II state and national background screenings.

"We take seriously the quality of all volunteers and staff that work with our students, and nothing through the process of Gordon's background, references or personal testimony indicated that the reason for his arrest would be an area of concern," officials said. "As a school, we have initiated investigation into his time on our campus outside of his volunteer role."

Investigators reported Binder had worked as a Walt Disney World security guard, where he has been on unpaid leave until the result of charges comes.

"Now I got to tell my work and family that I got arrested for soliciting a 14-year-old for sex," Binder told authorities, according to reports.

Some of the 18 men had sent pornographic photos to police posing as minors or followed through with an arranged meeting for sex with condoms, candy or illegal drugs in hand.

An example of charges are the four Gordon faces: using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child; using a two-way communication device to commit a felony; traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child; and attempted lewd battery. The first three each have a $25,000 bond attached, with a $100 bond for the lewd battery setting his total at $75,100.

Further charges are pending, based on evidence collection.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].