The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City worked together to arrest three men seeking to engage in sexual activity with children during the time period of the NFL Draft in Kansas City.

From April 26 to 30, three men traveled to Clay County to meet with whom they believed to be children ranging in ages from 10 to 14. They had chatted online previously with the “children,” (really Clay County Sheriff’s Office and HSI-KC investigators) or with adults who were purportedly offering the children for sex (also under-cover Sheriff’s Office and HSI-KC investigators). Deputies arrested the men shortly after their arrival at the designated apartment or hotel room.

“The NFL Draft was an amazing experience for the entire Kansas City metro area, but we know events of that magnitude also can increase the opportunity for victimization,” Sheriff Will Akin said. “Through this joint operation with HSI-KC, we wanted to reduce the chance any child in our community would fall victim to such a heinous crime.”

“HSI is recognized as a global leader in the investigation of child predators,” said HSI Kansas City acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho. “Our ability to identify and rescue child victims; apprehend offenders; and help make the internet a safer place for children is even stronger when we have talented and dedicated law enforcement partners, like those at Clay County, working alongside our special agents. I could not be more proud of each and every one of the professionals who have dedicated their lives to the removal of child predators from our streets.”

The following men were arrested and charged during the course of the operation:

Link I. Laithreach, 33, of Portland, Ore., charged with attempted statutory sodomy-deviate sexual intercourse involving a person less than 12 years of age. He has posted his $20,000 bond.

Nicholas C. Keith, 33, of Lee’s Summit., Mo., charged with attempted statutory sodomy-deviate sexual intercourse involving a person less than 14 years of age. He remains in custody on a $25,000 bond.

Glicerio M. Gallahad, 41, of Madison, N.J., charged with attempted statutory sodomy-deviate sexual intercourse involving a person less than 14 years of age. He remains in custody on a $40,000 bond.

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office contributed to this story