Task force nabs child predators, prostitutes, sex-purchasers in Richland County

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

A multi-agency sting operation led by the Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) led to the arrest of 18 persons suspected of being child predators and another 20 for prostitution in mid-July.

Dubbed OPERATION FULL ARMOR, the effort was “very successful,” says Sheriff Leon Lott, and it is ongoing.

The child predators, also known as ‘travelers’ because they travel from one area to the next in search of vulnerable child-victims, initiated their crimes in Internet chat rooms and through various social media. “These monsters,” as Lott refers to them, began communicating online with persons whom they believed were girls between the ages of 13 and 14. A few of the suspects shared pictures of themselves. Others requested pictures. Each of the suspects then traveled to what they believed was a young girl’s home when the child’s parents were supposedly away.

“Unfortunately for them, they didn’t meet any young girls,” says Lott. “The met us.”

Though details are closely guarded so as to avoid providing actionable information to child predators and sex traffickers in any future operation, Lott says, “Approximately 50 officers were involved per day in this operation.”

The joint mission was conducted by the RCSD-led INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE. The task force, under the operational direction of RCSD Senior Investigator Melissa Perry; was composed of RCSD, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, the S.C. Attorney General’s office, the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, and seven other sheriff’s departments or offices within the state.

“The United States Attorney’s office remains in lock-step with local, state, and federal agencies that comprise this ongoing partnership,” says U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon, adding that her office is “ready to expedite the prosecution of these cases.”

Among those nabbed for either Internet crimes against children or prostitution were repeat and registered sex offenders, as well as a Boy Scout leader, a member of a county ethics commission, business leaders, a S.C. Dept. of Corrections officer, and a U.S. Army officer. Two of those arrested admitted to possessing over 5,000 images of child pornography.

“These are monsters within our community – there is no other way to describe them – and all of us working as part of this task force are committed to getting them off the street and away from our kids,” says Lott. “We now have 38 in custody, and there may well be more as this is an ongoing operation.”

Capt. Maria Yturria, director of RCSD’s public information office, says, “This ongoing effort may well extend beyond South Carolina’s borders.”

The sting operation was conducted, July 10-13.

– Visit the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at http://rcsd.net.