Sheriff Tony Breeden emphasized the operation’s importance, calling it “a battle of good versus evil.”
YORK COUNTY, S.C. — The York County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 11 individuals during a multi-agency operation with two separate proactive online child exploitation investigations in August and September.
Operation Huntsman involved 20 to 40 officers at any given time who monitored social media platforms as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force with the South Carolina Attorney General’s office. All suspects, referred to as “travelers,” arrived at undercover locations believing they would meet minors aged 10 to 16 for sexual encounters.
“These suspects target children online, and many have previously been hands-on offenders with victims who may or may not have come forward,” YCSO said in a news release.
The arrested individuals came from South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Honduras. One suspect, 38-year-old Jonni Osman Pineda, had been deported at least three times and was released to federal custody, YCSO said.
The names and charges for the suspects are as follows:
- Travis Ethan Betts – 28 – Smoaks, SC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (< 16 Previous Conviction/Sex Offender) 1st Degree
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
- Disseminate Obscene Material to Person < 18yrs
- Damaris Latrez Johnson – 23 – Rock Hill, SC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (11-14 Years) 2nd Degree
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
- Jonni Osman Pineda – 38 – Honduras
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (11-14 Years) 2nd Degree
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
- Anthony Luis Olmedo – 43 – Charlotte, NC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (11-14 Years) 2nd Degree
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
- Jacob Eugene Tester – 25 – Liberty, SC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (11-14 Years) 2nd Degree
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 3rd Degree (X4)
- Ralf Siehl – 57 – Indian Land, SC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (11-14 Years) 2nd Degree
- Ja’Bri Agurs Feaster – 22 – Rock Hill, SC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor (11-14 Years) 2nd Degree
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
- Alexander Gerard Arounerangsy – 30 – Mooresville, NC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor 3rd Degree
- Participation in the Prostitution of a Minor
- Richard Frances Lennox Jr. – 48 – Fort Mill, SC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor 3rd Degree
- Participation in the Prostitution of a Minor
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st Degree
- Wilmer Isaak Zelaya – 18 – Houston TX
- Participation in the Prostitution of a Minor
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Srinivas Mutpur – 60 – Charlotte, NC
- Criminal Sexual Conduct with Minor 3rd Degree
- Participation in the Prostitution of a Minor
- Obstruction of Justice
Sheriff Tony Breeden emphasized the operation’s importance, calling it “a battle of good versus evil.” He praised the partnerships with federal agencies, particularly the FBI, and thanked officers who worked extensive hours on the operation.
YCSO Criminal Intelligence/Homeland Security Unit Director Robert Hamilton, who is also a task force officer with the FBI, noted suspects ranged from 18 to 63 years old, calling child exploitation “an epidemic in this country.” One suspect brought methamphetamine, possibly intending to give it to a minor.
Authorities warned parents to actively monitor their children’s online activity, including who they communicate with and what sites they visit. Breeden stressed that parents cannot assume predators aren’t targeting their children.
Additional suspects are still being identified and will be arrested once located.
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