Petersburg man among 18 convicted in northern Virginia online-sex sting involving children

Bill Atkinson, The Progress-Index
·3 min read

A task force aimed at catching people preying on children online for sex said Friday that 18 men caught in its sting operation — including a Petersburg resident — have been convicted of more than 40 felony charges and sentenced to a total of 128 years behind bars.

A statement from the Northern Virginia-Washington DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force said the suspects ranged in age from 20 years old to 65 years old and came from states as far away as New Hampshire.

The operation was carried out over an eight-month period between 2021 and this year by a Virginia State Police special agent working with the task force. The suspects were prosecuted by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County commonwealth's attorney's office.

“Because of the proactive investigative efforts of ICAC, we have been able to bring these offenders to justice," senior assistant commonwealth’s attorney Alycia Eldridge said in the statement. "Each conviction and penitentiary sentence protects our community and our children from some of the worst offenders — those who perpetuate the horrific supply and demand cycle of child sexual abuse materials and those who attempt to meet children for sexual activity. I am grateful that we work with wonderful investigators to continue the mission of keeping children safe online and in the community.”

The Petersburg resident named in the operation was 44-year-old Jeremy Lee Nugent. He pleaded guilty to two counts of online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age and was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison. According to state Department of Corrections records, Nugent is being held at the Bland County Correctional Center in southwest Virginia and is eligible for release in 2035.

Others convicted in the operation are:

  • Alfred Friend, 65, of Swanton, Maryland, one count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Michael T. Poole, 54, of Chesterfield, nine counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Ilker Alan, 48, of Loudoun, Virginia, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Jeffery A. Edwards Jr., 46, of Northampton, Pennsylvania, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Myles Russell Sr., 51, of Leesburg, Virginia, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Charles T. George, 52, of Glen Allen, Virginia, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Jared M. Lawrence, 29, of Derry, New Hampshire, three counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Barry S. Woody, 60, of Martinsville, Virginia, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Cody W. Donelson, 26, of Kingsport, Tennessee, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age, and two counts distribution of child sex abuse material;

  • Benjamin C. Estes, 36, of Henderson, Tennessee, one count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Kevin R. Pemberton, 39, of Decatur, Tennessee, one count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • George I. Piet, 35, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, one count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Dale W. Lore, 30, of Alloway, New Jersey, two counts of online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Zachary R. Magalis, 32, of Woodstock, Virginia, one count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Jeffrey L. Levault, 33, of Woodbridge, Virginia, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age;

  • Haydn M. Kamenicky, 20, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, one count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age; and

  • Charles E. Carr Jr., 49, of Johnson City, Tennessee, two counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age.

The task force said additional charges in the investigation are pending.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Northern Virginia task force says 18 men convicted in online-sex sting