‘Operation Tidal Wave’ leads to 9 arrests for child sex crimes in Georgetown County, authorities say

Adam Benson
·2 min read
18

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Nine men who authorities say were seeking to exploit and sexually abuse children through the internet were arrested in a large-scale monthlong investigation, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

“Operation Tidal Wave” was a joint effort between the agency and the South Carolina Attorney General Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It began with a “sting” operation in late February, Sheriff Carter Weaver said.

Those facing charges are:

  • Thomas Jarrod Hood, 32, of Myrtle Beach, distribution of methamphetamine
    solicitation of a minor criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt; victim aged 11 to 14 years; dissemination of obscene material to a person under 18 years of age

  • Nicardo Melbourne Vassell, 35, of Myrtle Beach, failure to stop for blue light (attempted to flee); solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

  • Kevin John Richmond, 51, of Myrtle Beach, solicitation of a minor; sexual exploitation of a minor 1st degree; criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years; dissemination of harmful material to minors

  • Jason Alexander Morgan, 25, of Calabash, North Carolina, solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

  • Mark E. Tilghman, 62, Surfside Beach, solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

  • Nicholas James Russo, 31, of Myrtle Beach, solicitation of a minor; attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, victim aged 11 to 14 years

  • Robert Edward Calloway, 48, of Myrtle Beach, solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

  • Julio Francisco Gomez Sauzo Apellidos, 31, foreign national, solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim under 16 years of age

  • Weunder Inai Segura Lopez, 34, North Myrtle Beach, solicitation of a minor, criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

In a statement, Sheriff Carter Weaver thanked all of the agencies who brought their experience and resources to the joint effort.

“The sad reality is that I am not surprised by the number of predators that were charged, but I am sickened nonetheless by how arrogant and willing they were to victimize our children,” he said.

Agencies involved in the operation included the FBI, U.S. Homeland Security, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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