Lee Co. Sheriff: 17 arrested for alleged online solicitation, prostitution of minor
LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) – An undercover sting operation involving the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Opelika Police, Lee County District Attorney’s Office and Covenant Rescue Group lead to the apprehension of 17 suspected child predators who allegedly lurked on the internet trying to arrange sexual encounters with a child.
During the operation, undercover agents chatted with 249 individuals online and arrested 17 individuals who, investigators say, traveled to meet a female they believed to be 15-years-old at a Lee County motel.
WRBL has located 16 detention records associated with the suspects. On July 20, 2024, the following individuals were arrested on allegations of child solicitation by computer: Deontavian Zavarious Woody (age 32), Sung Hoon Lee (age 29), Ronnie L. Johnson (age 51), Michael Dylan Johnson (age 23), Luis Alonso Antonio Contreras (age 31), Jordan Isaiah Paradise (age 25), Daniel Christopher Kendrick (age 41), Alfonzo Gomez Guzman (age 27), Mario Kantrell Carter (age 32), and Carl Bellamy (age 26).
Earlier, on July 18, 2024, Wesley Lamar Thomas (age 33) and Quinton Devaughn Henderson (age 23) were detained on allegations of prostitution with a minor.
The following day, July 19, 2024, saw the arrests of Jacinto Garcia Perez (age 45), Stephen Michael Jones (age 39), Deangelo Bernard Farrow (age 27), and James Christopher Barrett (age 44), all on allegations of prostitution with a minor.
We are awaiting a mug shot for Willie James Harris (age 31) who was arrested on allegations of traveling to meet a minor, electronic solicitation of a minor, and felony promoting prostitution of a minor. Investigators say each defendant has at least a $110,000.00 bond, some have already been able to make bail.
Covenant Rescue Group is a nonprofit organization working with law enforcement agencies providing resources and training needed to conduct successful anti-human trafficking operations. This includes undercover child exploitation stings and rescue operations that dynamically break up human trafficking rings that lead to arrests and prosecutions.
Investigators tell WRBL this undercover operation is a reminder to parents and community members the importance of speaking with their children about online predators, monitoring internet use, and reporting any suspicious activity to ICAC (Internet Crime Against Children) Task Force.
ICAC is national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing more than 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement, dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.
ICAC says reports of online enticement has increased by more than 300% from 2021 to 2023.
Every child deserves a safe childhood. If you suspect child sexual exploitation, please make a report at Report.CyberTip.org or call NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
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