Not For Sale: 21 Arrested In Brookhaven Child Sex Trafficking Op

BROOKHAVEN, GA -- Twenty-one people were arrested during a five-day undercover child sex trafficking takedown that was focused on Brookhaven ahead of Super Bowl LIII. Operation Interception was carried out by Brookhaven police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the DeKalb County DA's Office, and U.S. Marshals. Additional charges and arrests may be forthcoming.

Police said the operation took several months of planning. Most of the arrestees, ranging in age from 20 to 55, traveled from areas around metro Atlanta with the intent to meet a child for sex. Multiple people were arrested who were in possession of suspected illegal drugs. Twenty-four digital devices were seized as evidence and processed during the operation.

The operation's goal was to arrest persons who communicate with children on-line, have sexually explicit conversations, and then travel to meet them for the purpose of having sex. Additionally, the operation targeted those who are willing to exploit children by purchasing sex with a minor.

“The Brookhaven Police Department is one of our most active member agencies," said Debbie Garner, GBI special agent in charge. "We appreciate their daily efforts to combat child exploitation. This type of cooperation and collaboration is invaluable in the effort to keep our children safe from predators who seek to harm them. This successful operation was a true partnership between all the agencies involved. We will continue to aggressively work together to protect our children.”

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During Operation Interception, police conducted online undercover investigations using sites known to advertise for the sex industry. Investigators also conducted undercover investigations using applications frequented by adults to find casual sexual partners. The investigators made 20 arrests as a result of utilizing standard dating and social media applications. Those arrested had sexually explicit conversations with whom they believed to be a child and most of those arrested traveled to meet a child for sex.

Brookhaven police used license plate reader technology to locate previously identified predators as they entered the city limits.

Here is a list of those arrested and charged in DeKalb County as part of Operation Interception:

1. Nicholas Alexander Bowen, B/M, Chamblee, GA, 29, ride sharing and delivery driver
2. Thomas Cheung, A/M, Alpharetta, GA, 32, gaming studio employee
3. Jeshua Elijah Collins, B/M, Suwannee, GA, 22, deli clerk
4. James Tunde Fadeyi, B/M Lithonia, GA 55, unemployed
5. Walter Gonzalez-Amaya, H/M, Norcross, GA, 22, maintenance worker
6. Larry Allen Gordon, B/M, Hampton, GA, 31, fast food restaurant employee
7. Zachary Tye Gourdine, B/M, Conley, GA, 28, crane operator
8. Dylan Michael Graham, W/M, Silver Creek, GA, 27, elevator mechanic
9. Richard Jason Hyder, W/M, Elizabethton, TN, 41, asphalt grinding contractor
10. Mitchell Allen Kennedy, W/M, Brooklyn, NY, 24, software company creative assistant
11. Raheem Lalani, W/M, Birmingham, AL, 26, unemployed
12. Marco A. Mendoza-Escalante, H/M, Riverdale, GA, 20, paving technician
13. Darwin Menjivar-Fernandez, H/M, Powder Springs, GA, 22, restaurant server
14. Juan Valencia-Patino, H/M, Jesup, GA, 22, student
15. Juan Manuel Sanchez, H/M, Woodstock, GA, 25, automobile mechanic
16. Junior Cornelius Timoteus, H/M, Atlanta, GA 25, restaurant server
17. Oscar Ramirez, H/M, Atlanta, GA, 39, construction worker
18. Dylan Golding Whynot, W/M, Kennesaw, GA, 32, behavioral health case manager
19. Kyle A. Williams, B/M, Stone Mountain, GA, 32, warehouse employee
20. Robert Tyler Wilson, B/M, Canton, GA, 31, automotive service technician
21. Tarno M. Walters, B/M, Lawrenceville, GA, 22, grocery store employee

The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney.

Read More: Minor Sex Trafficking: How Well Georgia Protects Children

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