A 31-year-old man has found himself behind bars in Limestone County, facing serious charges of soliciting a child online.
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office reported that their Criminal Investigations Division (CID) kicked off an inquiry earlier this month after a suspect reached out to a fake social media account posing as a young male target.
This suspect has been identified as I Made Gitayana, from Bali, Indonesia. He allegedly sought out sexual encounters with someone he believed to be an underage boy and admitted to illegally staying in the U.S.
In a recent Facebook update, the Sheriff’s Office detailed:
“Gitayana had arranged to meet the supposed child, even agreeing to cover transport costs to get to him. On August 28, 2025, they coordinated with local and state law enforcement, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and agents from the Department of Homeland Security (HSI) in Birmingham, to carry out the operation.
“When Gitayana arrived at the agreed meeting spot and provided the child’s transportation, law enforcement officers apprehended him without a fuss. During interrogation, he revealed he was once employed on a cruise ship and had illegally ventured into the United States back in July 2025 after disembarking in Miami. After that, he made his way to Alabama, where he attempted to meet a minor for sex within just a month.”
“Gitayana has since been booked at the Limestone County Detention Facility, charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child. A judge will determine his bond. Immigration authorities have also placed a hold on him, and the investigation remains open, with potential new charges on the horizon. Special Agent Steven N. Schrank of Homeland Security Investigations emphasized the importance of their role in protecting vulnerable individuals in our community from exploitation. He commended the collaboration with local law enforcement, which led to neutralizing a serious threat.”
“Every child deserves a safe environment,” stated Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. “There’s no place for those looking to harm or exploit children in our community. I applaud the efforts of my team, alongside the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security, in this important arrest. We will relentlessly pursue anyone who poses a danger to the safety of our kids.”
