Five people were arrested during a 3-day operation by the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and several other law enforcement agencies.
From October 15 to October 18, law enforcement conducted “Operation Phantom Thread” aimed at targeting child predators in and around the area.
According to Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, during the operation, undercover agents and investigators were engaged with over 500 people, via the internet and cellular apps, of which over 75 verified adults expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity.
Despite being told multiple times that they were conversing with a “child”, 49 people stated that they wished to travel to meet for sex, with several offering monetary payment in exchange.
Of that 49, roughly 15 indicated that they were in fact willing to travel to pre-arranged meeting locations provided by the investigators.
Five individuals followed through with their plans and traveled to the meeting locations, where instead of a “child” they were met with members of the Emanuel County Sherif’s Office and assisting agencies.
The following five individuals were arrested after traveling to meet the “child”:
• Charlie Edward Brinson, 62, of Savannah
• William Henry Carter, 49, of Midway
• Shelton Lebron Glover, 57, of Statesboro
• Candelario Isaac Lopez-Valezquez, 41, of Vidalia
• Jacorbi Oryan Mays, 39, of Swainsboro
Each of the above individuals were charged with Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude.
They are being held at the Emanuel County Detention Center with no bond.
In addition to those arrested, 10 other individuals have been identified for further investigation with arrests for various charges likely forthcoming.
Anyone with information related to this matter, or any similar incident, is encouraged to contact Investigator Troy Fallin with the Criminal Investigations Division at Emanuel County Sheriff's Office.
Assisting agencies were Swainsboro Police Department, GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation), GSP (Georgia State Patrol), Dublin Police Department, Millen Police Department. HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), Grovetown Police Department, Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and Candler County Sheriff’s Office.
