Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Local News
15 charged in largest child predator operation in NC town's history, police say
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Note: The accompanying video explains how to protect kids online as child sex crimes increase in North Carolina
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (WJZY) — Fifteen men have been charged for internet crimes against children as part of ‘Operation Artemis,’ Mooresville Police announced on Friday.
The operation ran from May 28 to May 30 and involved multiple local, county, state, and federal agencies. To date, Mooresville Police said these arrests mark the largest child predator operation in the department’s history.
Preparation for this week’s operation began before May 2024 and involved 19 agencies and 65 personnel. Suspects range in age from 25 years old to 78 years old and came from as far away as Gretna, Virginia, authorities said.
The suspects used online platforms including ChatApp, Discord, DoubleList, Facebook, FetLife, Grindr, Mega Personal Ad, Skip the Games, and Sniffies to solicit minors, police said.
“This operation saved the lives of countless children,” Mooresville Police Chief Ron Campurciani said in a released statement on Friday.
Mooresville Police have an outstanding warrant for Jose Beristain Solis, 39, of Mooresville, for solicitation of a child by computer. Below are the 14 suspects arrested in this operation:
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Aaron Mark Mayhew, 33 years old, of Cherryville, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Mayhew was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Brandon Cassiano, 30 years old, of Mooresville, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Cassiano was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Christopher Bell, 29 years old, of Mooresville, NC, was charged with (M) Solicitation of Prostitution. Bell was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $1,500 secured bond. -
Daniel Yachnin, 28 years old, of Cornelius, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Yachnin was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Dawson Davidson, 25 years old, of Taylorsville, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Dawson was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Michael Smith, 55 years old, of Charlotte, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Smith was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Nien Eya Y, 45 years old, of Charlotte, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing and (F) Soliciting Prostitution of a Minor. Eya Y was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond. -
Paul Corkery, 45 years old, of Concord, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Corkery was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Thomas Trickett, 65 years old, of Cornelius, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Trickett was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Wilbur Cole III, 28 years old, of Gretna, VA, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Cole was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond. -
Kenneth Lanning, 78 years old, of Clayton, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing, (F) Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, (F) Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Lanning was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond. -
Joshua Lara, 27 years old, of High Point, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Lara was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Eutiquio Chavez, 36 years old, of Concord, NC, was charged with (F) Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing. Chavez was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond. -
Elvin Rodezno Rodriguez, 39 years old, of Charlotte, NC, was charged with (F) Soliciting Prostitution of a Minor. Rodezno Rodriguez was taken into custody and placed in the Iredell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond.
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Ciara Lankford
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