BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — A Boca Raton man is facing felony charges after detectives say he responded to an online escort ad and arranged paid sex acts with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl during a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office undercover operation. The allegations appear in a detailed probable cause affidavit filed by the agency’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT) .
The affidavit says detectives posted a fictitious escort advertisement on November 20 as part of a human-trafficking operation at an undisclosed location. Investigators reported that Bronson Mete Welbes, 21, contacted the ad by text from a listed phone number and began a back-and-forth conversation with undercover detectives posing as a trafficker offering a 15-year-old girl for commercial sex .
According to the report, the conversation escalated quickly. Detectives wrote that Welbes asked if the girl was available that night and requested rates and the location. When told she was “young,” he replied, “can I see?” before requesting a FaceTime call “to verify.” During the exchange, detectives said Welbes asked for “qv/HH fs BBJ,” short for quick visit or half-hour full service and a bareback oral sex act, and negotiated pricing for additional services. The detective reportedly told him the girl “doesn’t do everything” because of her age, and Welbes replied, “That’s fine.” .
Detectives told him the meeting spot was in Palm Beach Gardens. The affidavit says Welbes asked if the girl could instead be Ubered to his home, then followed up with, “18 though right?” The undercover detective answered, “almost 16,” according to the report. Investigators say Welbes continued the conversation anyway and asked to FaceTime again .
During the video call, detectives wrote that Welbes exposed his penis and asked to see the girl’s breast. The undercover detective told him the girl would not “do that for free” because she was 15. According to the affidavit, Welbes then offered to pay $50 for her to perform the act on the call. Detectives said he was again told no but continued discussing arrangements .
The affidavit says Welbes asked what “extras” the girl was “comfortable with adding,” suggesting “GFE” — the “girlfriend experience” — or a shower. Detectives wrote that he confirmed a $160 price for a half-hour visit including the requested acts, then asked about an hour. They told him it would be $220, and Welbes replied, “Sold.” The conversation ended the night of November 20 with a mutual plan to meet the next afternoon, detectives said .
The next morning, Welbes texted again asking to see the ad to “feel more comfortable,” according to the affidavit. Detectives sent him a link, and he responded, “So this is real,” the report states. That was the last message investigators received. Using DMV records, detectives later confirmed his identity as the person on the FaceTime calls, according to the filing .
Welbes was arrested by PBSO and charged with:
• Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Using Computer/Device (F.S. 847.0135(3)(a))
• Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F.S. 934.215)
The affidavit was sworn and signed by HEAT detectives on November 21. Court records show the case was assigned to North County Court in Palm Beach Gardens. As of the filing, no additional charges were listed in the document .
