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ATHENS-The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Operations Team initiated an investigation in August 2025, after an individual made contact with a decoy juvenile male social media account operated by investigators.
During the course of the investigation, the suspect, later identified as I Made Gitayana, 31, of Bali, Indonesia, solicited sexual acts from who he believed to be a minor male child. Gitayana identified himself as a citizen of Indonesia unlawfully residing in the United States.
Gitayana arranged to meet the child for sexual purposes and agreed to pay for transportation to his location. On August 28,
2025, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, working in coordination with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agents from the Homeland Security Investigations Office in Birmingham (HSI), conducted a joint operation.
2025, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, working in coordination with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agents from the Homeland Security Investigations Office in Birmingham (HSI), conducted a joint operation.Upon arriving at the designated meeting location and paying for the child’s transportation, Gitayana was taken into custody without incident. During questioning, he stated that he had previously worked as a cruise ship employee and had illegally entered the United States in July 2025, after leaving a vessel in Miami, Florida. He then traveled to Alabama, where, within four weeks, he attempted to arrange a meeting with a child for sex.
Gitayana was transported to the Limestone County Detention Facility and booked on Electronic Solicitation of a Child. Bond will be set at the discretion of a judge. An immigration detainer has been placed on Gitayana, and the investigation remains ongoing with additional charges possible.
“This case highlights the critical role Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) plays in protecting vulnerable members of our community from exploitation,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “Through close collaboration with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to identify and apprehend an individual who posed a serious threat to public safety. HSI remains committed to leveraging its investigative expertise to ensure those who violate the law and exploit others are held accountable, while also addressing immigration violations that compromise the integrity of our borders and systems.”
“Every child deserves to be safe,” said Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. “Those who seek to exploit and abuse them will find no refuge here. I commend my team, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security for their relentless work in making this arrest. I promise our community that we will never stop pursuing those who threaten the safety of our children.”
