A 37-year-old Hephzibah man stationed at Fort Gordon as a U.S. Navy chief petty officer has been arrested as part of the continuing investigation into Grovetown Police Department’s “Operation Fourth Take.”
Norman Laureano Miranda was arrested Wednesday by Grovetown police investigators with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
According to investigators, Miranda repeatedly communicated with someone he believed was a child over several days during the undercover operation. Investigators said Miranda was repeatedly told he was communicating with a child, but continued sending graphic sexual messages and attempted to arrange an in-person meeting.
Miranda was taken into custody at Fort Gordon, where he is currently stationed.
He was charged with computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation under Georgia law, as well as grooming a minor for a sexual offense or trafficking for sexual servitude. He was booked into the Columbia County Detention Center.
Grovetown police said additional arrests are expected as investigators continue working through cases connected to Operation Fourth Take.
