DOJ arrests 205 alleged child sex predators in sting operation, 7 charged in MI | #childpredator | #onlinepredator | #sextrafficing

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the results of “Operation Restore Justice,” a nationwide effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 205 child sexual abuse offenders and the rescue of 115 children, according to the DOJ. Seven of those people were charged in the Western District of Michigan.

“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

The DOJ said the operation was executed over five days and involved all 55 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

The effort was done in conjunction with state and local partners across the country, including several law enforcement agencies in Michigan.

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

“Operation Restore Justice highlights the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The members of the FBI Grand Rapids WEBCHEX Task Force and the Lansing Resident Agency appreciate the vital support from our partners, including the Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office, Norton Shores Police Department, Grand Rapids Police Department, Lansing Police Department, and the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office. This coordinated effort led to numerous arrests across western Michigan and in Arkansas and Tennessee, with crucial assistance from the FBI Little Rock (Texarkana Resident Agency) and Nashville (Knoxville Resident Agency) Field Offices. Operation Restore Justice demonstrates our shared commitment to public safety in Michigan and throughout the United States.”

Charges issued against the 205 individuals arrested ranged from the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material to online enticement and child sex trafficking.

The DOJ cites the vigilance of parents and community outreach efforts, which have supported victims coming forward and disclosing their abuse.

Below are the individuals charged with federal crimes in the Western District of Michigan, and a description of those crimes written by the DOJ:

Christian Vanderveen, 24, of Comstock Park, was charged by Complaint with Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

• According to court documents, Vanderveen repeatedly requested sexually explicit images from a minor who was under the age of thirteen. Evidence obtained from his cell phone revealed the sexually explicit media, as well as Vanderveen’s requests. In an interview with law enforcement, Vanderveen admitted to this conduct.
• If convicted, Vanderveen faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of 30 years.
• This case was investigated by the Michigan State Police and FBI.

Paul Masko, of Grand Haven, was indicted for three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

• Each charge is punishable by a minimum of 15 years, and a maximum of 30 years, in prison.
• Masko was a teacher at a public school in Muskegon County. The indictment alleges that Masko gave his phone to a minor victim and directed the minor to take pictures of explicit images of the minor on the minor’s cell phone.
• This case was investigated by the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department, the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, and the FBI.

Terry Hopkins, of Muskegon Heights, was indicted for possession of child pornography. 

• Hopkins was previously convicted of possession of child sexually abusive material on two occasions and criminal sexual conduct with a minor. As a result, he is subject to an enhanced sentence if convicted – a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
• This case was investigated by the Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, and the FBI.

Martell Scott-Ware, 29, of Grand Rapids and Shauntelle Blackmon, 23, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, were indicted on criminal charges related to alleged sexual exploitation of a child. The grand jury also returned a separate charge accusing Blackmon alone of sex trafficking of a child.

• According to court documents, Scott-Ware and Blackmon are charged with persuading a minor female under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, which Scott-Ware and Blackmon then recorded. Blackmon also allegedly recruited and offered the same minor for commercial sexual activity, both in the Western District of Michigan and in Arkansas. 
• If convicted, Scott-Ware and Blackmon each face a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison on their charge of sexual exploitation of a child.
• Blackmon faces a separate mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison on the sex trafficking charge.
• The Michigan State Police and FBI investigated this case.

Joseph Brandon, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was arrested by criminal complaint on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child.

• According to court documents, Brandon formed an agreement with a man in Michigan to use social media accounts to produce and trade child pornography.
• If convicted, Brandon faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of 30 years.
• This FBI investigated this case

George Edward Lebaron, of Egelston Township, was arrested by criminal complaint on charges related to alleged coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. 

• According to court documents, Lebaron is charged with establishing an online relationship with a 14-year-old girl and coercing and inducing her to send him naked pictures of herself.  Lebaron asked another minor girl to also send him naked pictures.  Lebaron was previously convicted in 2003 of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree for a victim under 13 years old. 
• If convicted, Lebaron faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison if convicted of coercion and enticement.
• If convicted of receipt of child pornography, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison.
• If convicted of possession of child pornography, Lebaron faces a mandatory minimum of 10 year and a maximum of 20 years in prison. 
• The FBI is investigating this case.