12 arrested in Peach County child sex exploitation operation
Byron Police and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office worked with Covenant Rescue Group in a two-day operation targeting online predators.
BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Twelve men are facing charges after a two-day child sex exploitation operation in Peach County.
According to a news release from Byron Police, the operation, called “Operation Not Here,” happened October 2 and 3 and was conducted by the Peach County Sheriff’s Office and Byron Police Department.
Investigators say they established an online presence on several internet platforms to identify and arrest people attempting to engage in sex acts with minors. Both departments were assisted and trained by Covenant Rescue Group, a nonprofit that helps law enforcement combat human trafficking and child exploitation.
Police identified those arrested as:
- 65-year-old Dennis Jacques of Lizella
- 32-year-old Antwan Devereux of Macon
- 32-year-old Avery Simmons Rincon
- 33-year-old Shedrick Smith of Warner Robins
- 44-year-old Mikel Williams Warner Robins
- 49-year-old Timothy Newman of Milledgeville (who also had felony warrants from Indiana)
- 29-year-old Yohannas Hollis of Perry
- 36-year-old Joshua Ball of Dry Branch
- 24-year-old Eddie Torres of Spartanburg, South Carolina
- 33-year-old Derrick Cooper of Macon
- 29-year-old Malik Boykins of Perry
- 19-year-old Amarion Vance of Warner Robins.
Each suspect was charged with obscene internet contact with a child and use of a computer service to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child to commit an illegal act. The release said more charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Terry Deese and Chief Wesley Cannon said the collaboration between both agencies and Covenant Rescue Group made the operation a success and that similar efforts are planned for the future.
