Latest news with #OperationLightsOut
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Behind the Screens: Tracking down the numbers of child predators in Georgia
COLUMBUS, GA. (WRBL) — In response to recent concerns about online child exploitation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes United has intensified efforts in Muscogee County. WRBL's Crystal Whitman is working behind the scenes to find out how many operations have been done in Muscogee County in the last 12 months that target people who try to exploit minors through the internet. One notable and recent operation, 'Operation Lights Out,' was a collaborative effort involving the GBI, the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children or ICAC Task Force. For more information on the GBI's efforts and resources related to child exploitation prevention, visit their official website at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
19 men, ages 21-68, arrested in 4-day human trafficking operation in Georgia
MUSCOGEE COUNTY, Ga. - Nineteen men ranging in age from 21 to 68 have been arrested in a four-day human trafficking operation in Georgia targeting online predators who attempted to exploit children. What we know Dubbed Operation Lights Out, the undercover sting was led by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The operation ran from April 25 to April 27 and involved 12 law enforcement agencies from across Georgia and beyond. According to officials, the suspects engaged in sexually explicit communication online with people they believed to be minors and arranged to meet them for sex. Some traveled to do so, unaware they were actually interacting with undercover agents. Authorities say both boys and girls were targeted. What they're saying "These predators will travel from near and far to victimize your children," said a statement from the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office. "We take these crimes against children very seriously." Officials urged parents to closely monitor their children's online activity, warning that many predators use social media and internet chat platforms to make contact with minors and introduce them to sexual content. What's next Several of the suspects face charges under Georgia's Human Trafficking law, while others were charged under the Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act. Three of the men arrested are also subject to ICE detainers due to their immigration status. Those arrested include: Isael Alvarez, 43, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking, ICE detainer Marquise Anderson, 37, Seale, AL – Human Trafficking Darnell Brooks, 40, Box Springs, GA – Human Trafficking Roger Burkes, 62, Columbus, GA – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Javious Davenport, 30, LaGrange, GA – Human Trafficking Kevin Edosmwan, 38, Atlanta, GA – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Jonathan Evans, 46, LaGrange, GA – Human Trafficking Galvin Gordey, 44, Pittsview, AL – Human Trafficking Muhammed Gwandu, 68, Ontario, Canada – Human Trafficking, ICE detainer Gene Melner, 37, Palatine, IL – Human Trafficking Greggory Meeks, 45, LaGrange, GA – Human Trafficking Colton McLamb, 23, Valley, AL – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Zidarius Poole, 21, Columbus, GA – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Hunter Salmi, 22, Phenix City, AL – Computer/Child Exploitation charges Marco Santos Chavez, 30, Fort Payne, AL – Human Trafficking, ICE detainer Anthony Seldon, 34, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking, Fleeing, Obstruction, Reckless Driving Cameron Shelley, 25, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking Jungmok Shin, 33, Phenix City, AL – Human Trafficking Carl Sprayberry, 32, Columbus, GA – Human Trafficking Additional arrests and charges may follow as the investigation continues. Agencies involved in the operation: Muscogee County Sheriff's Office Georgia Bureau of Investigation Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) U.S. Secret Service Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division Forsyth, Cherokee, Jasper, and Colquitt County Sheriff's Offices Polk County Police Department Gwinnett County Police Department Officials say this will not be the last human trafficking operation conducted in Georgia as law enforcement remains focused on ending child exploitation.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
19 arrested in major human trafficking bust by Muscogee County and GBI
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — A multi-agency human trafficking operation, named 'Operation Lights Out', ended in the arrest of 19 people on numerous charges. The four-day online, undercover investigation was coordinated by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office. Operation Lights Out focused on people engaged in sexually explicit communications with children on the internet, who arranged to engage in sex with a child, and to travel for the purpose of having sex. The following were arrested and charged: • Carl Sprayberry, 32, of Columbus, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking.• Isael Alvarez, 43, of Columbus, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking and subject to an ICE Detainer.• Marquise Anderson, 37, of Seale, Alabama, charged with Human Trafficking.• Darnell Brooks, 40, of Box Springs, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking.• Roger Burkes, 62, of Columbus, Georgia, charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.• Javious Davenport, 30, of LaGrange, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking.• Kevin Edosmwan, 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.• Jonathan Evans, 46, of LaGrange, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking.• Galvin Latrell Gordey, 44, of Pittsview, Alabama, charged with Human Trafficking.• Muhammed Gwandu, 68, of Ontario, Canada, charged with Human Trafficking and subject to an ICE Detainer.• Gene Melner, 37, of Palatine, Illinois, charged with Human Trafficking.• Greggory Corbitt Meeks, 45, of LaGrange, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking.• Colton Lee McLamb, 23, of Valley, Alabama, charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.• Zidarius Poole, 21, of Columbus, Georgia, charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.• Hunter Salmi, 22, of Phenix City, Alabama, charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.• Marco Antonio Santos Chavez, 30, of Fort Payne, Alabama, charged with Human Trafficking and subject to an ICE Detainer.• Anthony Seldon, 34, of Columbus, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Reckless Driving, and Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers.• Cameron Shelley, 25, of Columbus, Georgia, charged with Human Trafficking.• Jungmok Shin, 33, of Phenix City, Alabama, charged with Human Trafficking. Operation Lights Out ran from April 24 – April 28. Additional charges and arrests may follow. Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman is now urging parents to closely monitor their children to ensure they are not communicating with these individuals. Online child predators use social media sites, messaging apps, and websites on the internet to find children, begin conversations with them, introduce sexual content and arrange meetings with children for the purpose of having sex. Both boys and girls are targeted by these predators. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Atlanta HVAC technician among 19 arrested in ‘child predator' operation
A four-day operation led by Georgia officials and multiple law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of 19 people. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] From April 24 to April 28, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, and the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force executed 'Operation Lights Out'. The sting was to identify people who engage in sexually explicit communication with children on the internet, trying to have sex with a child and then traveling to meet the child for sex. TRENDING STORIES: 'You're a coward:' GA woman swindles mother out of home, nearly $200K for fake cancer treatments 5 arrested after dead goats, bunny, ferret, nearly 2 dozen live animals found at north GA home NFL fines Atlanta Falcons, Jeff Ulbrich over Shedeur Sanders number leak, prank call Those arrested include: Kevin Edosomwan, 38, of Atlanta, occupation: HVAC technician; Charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007. Isael Alvarez-Alvarez, 43, of Columbus, occupation: unknown; Charged with Human Trafficking and subject to an ICE Detainer. Marquise Anderson, 37, of Seale, Ala., occupation: truck driver; Charged with Human Trafficking. Darnell Brooks, 40, of Box Springs, Ga., occupation: laborer; c Charged with Human Trafficking. Roger Burkes, 62, of Columbus, occupation: aircraft inspector; Charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007. Javious Davenport, 30, of LaGrange, occupation: forklift operator; charged with Human Trafficking. Carl Sprayberry, 32, of Columbus, occupation: chef; charged with Human Trafficking Jonathan Evans, 46, of LaGrange, occupation: sanitation worker; Charged with Human Trafficking. Galvin Latrell Gordey, 44, of Pittsview, Ala., occupation: sanitation worker; Charged with Human Trafficking. Muhammed Gwandu, 68, of Ontario, Canada, occupation: unknown; Charged with Human Trafficking and subject to an ICE Detainer. Gene Melner, 37, of Palatine, IL., occupation: truck driver; Charged with Human Trafficking Greggory Corbitt Meeks, 45, of LaGrange, occupation: delivery driver; Charged with Human Trafficking Colton Lee McLamb, 23, of Valley, Ala., occupation: forklift operator; Charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 Zidarius Poole, 21, of Columbus, occupation: unemployed; Charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 Hunter Salmi, 22, of Phenix City, Ala., occupation: mechanic; Charged with Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 Marco Antonio Santos Chavez, 30, of Fort Payne, Ala., occupation: painter; Charged with Human Trafficking and subject to an ICE Detainer. Anthony Seldon, 34, of Columbus, occupation: janitor; Charged with Human Trafficking, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Reckless Driving, and Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers Cameron Shelley, 25, of Columbus, occupation: truck driver charged with Human Trafficking Jungmok Shin, 33, of Phenix City, Ala., occupation: engineer; c Charged with Human Trafficking [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The GBI said more charges and arrests may be forthcoming. Twelve law enforcement agencies, including local, state and federal agencies, were a part of the operation. 'I want to make a plea with parents to closely monitor your children to ensure they are not communicating with these individuals,' said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. 'These predators will travel from near and far to victimize your children. We take these crimes against children very seriously. It will be our focus to find these predators so they may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'
