Two of five suspects arrested in Operation Teardrop plead not guilty

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) - Two of the five suspects arrested in a child sex trafficking operation in Yuma were in court Monday.

In addition, News 11 has learned another suspect committed suicide while being held at the Yuma County Detention Center.

Jacob David Vasquez, 24, and Eduardo Jesus Martinez, 27, pleaded not guilty during their court appearance.

Both were arrested after the Yuma Police Department conducted "Operation Teardrop" to catch child predators.

They, along with three other suspects, were charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

News 11 spoke with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO), who confirmed one of the five inmates arrested committed suicide inside the jail.

YCSO provided a statement saying, "Detention officers immediately initiated lifesaving measures until EMS arrived and transported him to Onvida Health for further treatment. During his hospitalization, the inmate was released from custody."

YCSO also said he was taken to a Phoenix area hospital where he later died.

Vasquez and Martinez are both scheduled to be back in court later this month.