Arrest Made in Multi-State Child Exploitation Investigation 

January 24, 2026 – Yuba City Police Department officials report that in October 2025, a Yuba City Police Department officer responded to a report from a parent who discovered suspicious online communications involving their 7-year-old child, another juvenile, and an adult male on a popular social media platform.

Due to the complexity of the investigation, the Yuba City Police Department Investigations Unit assumed the case. Through search warrants served on the social media platform, investigators confirmed the exchange of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Further investigation determined the suspect lived in Winter Haven, Florida.

Yuba City investigators coordinated with the Winter Haven Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of this multi-agency collaboration, search warrants were served at the suspect’s home in Winter Haven, FL.

The suspect, 24-year-old Alex Joel Melendez of Winter Haven, was arrested on 49 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. During interviews, Melendez admitted to using social media platforms to contact and lure victims between the ages of 7 and 17, soliciting explicit material, and selling the content.

This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts across opposite sides of the country and the importance of partnerships in protecting children. It also underscores the critical role parents play in monitoring online activity and reporting concerns early.

For additional information, the Winter Haven Police Department has released a related public statement on their Facebook page here.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to regularly discuss online safety with children and report any suspected inappropriate contact immediately to law enforcement.

Source & photo: Yuba City Police Department