Director of Modesto LGBTQ+ Center arrested in sting operation

MODESTO, Calif. – The Modesto Bee reported that Gerad Slayton, 42, the executive director of the Rainbow Resource Center in Modesto was confirmed to be one of 17 men arrested earlier this month in a sting operation to arrest suspected online predators seeking to have sex with minors.

Modesto Bee journalist Trevor Morgan reported that Slayton recently was appointed executive director of the Rainbow Center, a local nonprofit organization that provides resources to LGBTQ+ members of all ages. It particularly offers resources related to mental and physical health.

CBS Sacramento reported that Turlock Police Detective Gina Giovacchini told reporters that all 17 suspects face charges related to contacting a minor online with intent to have sex with them.

Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden in a press conference Tuesday, January 9, announced the arrests by a joint task force of law enforcement personnel from the Sacramento Valley Internet Crimes Against Children task force, the Sacramento County and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Offices, and his department.

“This operation was the culmination of months of planning by the Turlock Police Department and cooperating agencies. I am proud of Detective Gina Giovacchini and our team for their efforts to intercept those looking to harm children in our community,” Chief Hedden said.

“This problem isn’t going away,” said Sgt. Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. “While 17 arrests are very significant, it’s a drop in the bucket.”

The Rainbow Center released a statement on Facebook saying Slayton’s alleged actions happened outside working hours and did not happen on its premises. Slayton has never previously been charged with a felony in Stanislaus County, according to court records.

In an interview with the Modesto Bee, Alex Gutierrez, The Rainbow Resource Center’s interim executive director, said the center “didn’t do anything wrong” and maintained the stance that Slayton’s alleged actions were “personal decisions” that happened “off the clock.”

“We’re obviously ready for for whatever happens, but, you know, this was a personal decision made by one of our employees and it’s unfortunate… So, it is, you know, very impactful for us. We are trying to get through it,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said that Slayton had been executive director for six weeks before his arrest and was part of the Rainbow Resource Center since July 2022. There had been no complaints of any kind toward Slayton, according to Gutierrez

“He was new in that position and was working mostly with kind of staff roles,” said Gutierrez. “So I can’t say that he didn’t have, you know, any contact with people, with peers in general, you know, not to say zero contact, but we have definitely other layers of [contact] when you first come in, you don’t obviously meet the executive director.”

The majority of those whom the center helps are between the ages 25 and 35, but do include minors, according to Gutierrez.

The Modesto Bee also reported that Slayton pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of meeting with a minor for the purpose of engaging in lewd and lascivious behavior. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 29 at the Stanislaus County Superior Courthouse.