A coordinated operation involving the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Trilogy Media and several law enforcement agencies resulted in 6 arrests connected to alleged scamming activities and internet stalking of children.
According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, the operation was conducted July 22-24 and resulted in the arrests of 3 people accused of participating in cash-pickup scams and 3 men accused of attempting to meet online decoys posing as 14-year-old children.
Trilogy Media is an organization that works to alert the public about scams, document suspected scammers and assist law enforcement agencies with investigations and apprehensions. The organization has previously partnered with the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office.
$45,000 Decoy Cash Pickup Leads to 1st Arrest
The 1st arrest occurred July 22 after investigators learned that an alleged “money mule” was traveling from Hardy to Mountain Home to collect what she believed was $45,000 in cash from an elderly scam victim.
Investigators established surveillance around a predetermined location. The alleged transaction occurred when the suspect met an undercover investigator in a grocery store parking lot and accepted a package.
Law enforcement officers followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Highway 62 East.
The driver was identified as 73-year-old Patti Lynn Dunlap of Hardy. According to investigators, Dunlap said she expected to keep $10,000 of the alleged $45,000 pickup in exchange for collecting the money.
Dunlap was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on a felony charge of theft of property. She remained in custody under a $50,000 cash bond at the time of the sheriff’s report.
She is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on August 3.
2 Arrested Following 2nd Decoy Transaction
Another alleged scam pickup was arranged July 23 at a predetermined location.
Investigators said a package purportedly containing $45,000 was handed to the suspects by a decoy victim. When an investigator attempted to make an arrest, 1 suspect allegedly fled on foot and entered a vehicle driven by the other suspect.
The vehicle reportedly sped away, and investigators said the package was thrown from a window. Officers conducted a traffic stop nearby and arrested both occupants.
The suspects were identified as 47-year-old Jinbu Lin and 34-year-old Jiaming Yu, both of Brooklyn, New York.
Authorities said the suspects had more than $4,000 in cash between them. Investigators also reported finding approximately 2 grams of suspected methamphetamine inside the vehicle.
Lin was booked on felony charges of theft of property, possession of a controlled substance and fleeing. He was also being held on an immigration detainer issued by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yu was booked on felony charges of theft of property, possession of a controlled substance and fleeing. He was also being held on an immigration detainer.
Both were being held without bond because of the detainers and are scheduled to appear in circuit court on August 3.
3 Arrested in Internet Stalking Investigations
Investigators also announced 3 arrests involving men accused of communicating online with decoys posing as 14-year-old children.
Christopher Dyson
Christopher Dyson, 44, of the Gassville area was arrested July 23 after investigators said he initiated contact with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old boy.
Dyson allegedly expressed interest in meeting the purported child at a Mountain Home hotel for sexual activity and transmitted explicit photographs.
Officers established surveillance at the hotel where the meeting was scheduled. Investigators said Dyson went to the designated room and was taken into custody.
Dyson was booked on a felony charge of internet stalking of a child. He posted a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in circuit court on August 3.
Brady Dale Terry
Brady Dale Terry, 40, of rural Mountain Home was arrested July 24 after allegedly communicating with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Investigators said Terry expressed an intention to have sexual contact with the purported child and arranged a meeting. Officers arrested him when he arrived at the designated location.
Terry was booked on a felony charge of internet stalking of a child. He posted a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in circuit court on August 3.
Travis Lewis Dollins
Travis Lewis Dollins, 29, of Yellville was arrested later July 24 after allegedly communicating with another decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Investigators said Dollins expressed an intention to engage in sexual contact with the purported child and arranged to meet at a bait house.
Officers arrested Dollins when he arrived. He was booked on a felony charge of internet stalking of a child and remained in custody under a $25,000 bond at the time of the sheriff’s report.
Dollins is also scheduled to appear in circuit court on August 3.
Additional Suspected Scammers Reportedly Identified
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office said investigators knew of other suspected money mules who were in the Mountain Home area during the operation. However, authorities were unable to finalize additional meetings or transactions.
The operation involved Trilogy Media, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistance was also provided by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Sharp County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Montgomery said area law enforcement agencies will continue working together to identify and apprehend scammers and people accused of preying on children.
All charges are allegations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
