Over the course of three days, the Grovetown Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force targeted online predators in the Augusta area as part of “Operation Mask Off.”
During the operation, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, undercover agents and investigators engaged more than 1,200 individuals via the internet and cellular apps, of which 208 verified adults expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity, according to a news release from GPD.
Despite being told multiple times they were conversing with a “child,” 43 individuals said they wished to travel to meet for sex, offering payment in exchange, according to the release. Of the 43, 12 indicated they were traveling to pre-arranged meeting locations provided by investigators.
Three individuals followed through with their plans and traveled to the meeting locations, where instead of a “child,” they were met members of the Grovetown Police Department and arrested, according to the release.
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According to authorities, those three individuals include:
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Jose Polidecto Lemus, 41, was determined to be in the country illegally and an ICE detainer was placed on him.
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Clinton Chad Wilson, 42, of Louisville, Georgia.
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Do Nhut Minh, 25, of Pearland, Texas.
Lemus, Wilson and Minh are each charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children and were committed to the Columbia County Detention Center, with additional charges forthcoming, according to the release.
In addition to the custodial arrests, warrants were obtained for Willie Hines Jr. of Spartanburg, South Carolina for sexual exploitation of children after he was positively identified during the chats, according to the release. Hines is also wanted in Gwinett County for similar charges.
“This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges and arrests are anticipated as other individuals are identified,” according to authorities. Multiple electronic devices and three vehicles were seized as part of the operation.
GPD confirmed the Army Criminal Investigations Division assisted in the investigation, though it is unclear if any of the suspects are current or former military personnel.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Grovetown authorities make multiple arrests in child predator sting
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