Johnson County, Indiana, law enforcement have arrested 31 people this year during sex stings aimed at individuals targeting minors.
In May, the county sheriff’s department arrested 11 such individuals. Surprisingly, six months later, the same sting operation netted almost twice as many as May’s sting. Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess announced 20 suspects were arrested in a two-day operation between Tuesday and Thursday.
Burgess said his department coordinated with the prosecutor’s office to ensure they conducted their operations in a lawful manner. He said they dealt with many different types of people during the sting.
“The conversations … prior to the suspects arriving at the target location are very troubling,” Burgess stated. “The requests that are made to the Investigators posing as underage children are also very troubling and disturbing.”
He said many suspects brought different items to the meetings that ranged from alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs to firearms.
“Some of the individuals traveled a good distance hoping to meet and have a sexual encounter with a minor,” the sheriff said in a statement. “Some utilized online transportation services to get to the chosen location. Some even wanted to have the minor leave and go elsewhere to have a sexual encounter.”
Burgess said police will never know the true impact their operation has on local children’s safety.
“Knowingly meeting with a minor and wanting to take that minor away from their home travel miles away scares all of us,” he explained. “Will we ever truly know what the suspect’s true intentions were?”
There are people who prey on our children every day, the sheriff said, adding, parents must be vigilant in knowing who is communicating with their children.
According to a sheriff’s statement, the following individuals were scooped up by the sting:
Mark Alan Adams, 59, of Cross Plains: child solicitation, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and making an unlawful proposition. Bonded out of jail.
Jeffery Dylan Alford, 26, of Greenwood: child solicitation, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Bonded out of jail.
Philip Michael Buhrke, 26, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, dissemination of harmful material to a minor. Bonded out of jail.
Ryan Alan Browning, 34, of Harts, W.Va.: child solicitation, possession of child pornography. Remains at jail.
Samuel Ernestro Severino Cabrera, 24, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, making an unlawful proposition. Remains at jail.
Brallan Campos-Acevedo, 22, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, making an unlawful proposition. Bonded out of jail.
Jonathan Tyler Evans, 36, of Pisgah, Ala.: child solicitation and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Remains at jail.
Calvin Michael Farris, 37, of Richland, Wash.: child solicitation, dissemination of harmful material to a minor. Bonded out of jail.
Jeffrey A. Hance, 64, of Mooresville: child solicitation, criminal mischief, resisting law enforcement using a vehicle and prostitution. Bonded out of jail.
Zacariah Ray Hart, 43, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, possession of a syringe. Remains at jail.
Nicholas T. Hubbard, 23, of Indianapolis: child solicitation. Remains at jail.
Eric N. Johnson, 38, of Noblesville: child solicitation, dissemination of harmful material to a minor. Remains at jail.
Thiang Za Lian, 21, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, making an unlawful proposition. Bonded out of jail.
James T. Miller, 28, of Indianapolis: child solicitation. Bonded out of jail.
Max Joseph Miller, 25, of Indianapolis: child solicitation. Bonded out of jail.
Jonathan D. Morales, 31, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, driving while suspended with a prior conviction. Bonded out of jail.
Jered S. Morgan, 22, of Monrovia: child solicitation. Bonded out of jail.
Helly Cananl Sang, 21, of Indianapolis: child solicitation. Bonded out of jail.
Za Thio, 36, of Indianapolis: child solicitation, making an unlawful proposition. Remains at jail.
Christopher Greg Wilson, 37, of Columbus: child solicitation. Bonded out of jail.
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