Six people - including two from Commerce - were arrested this week as part of an undercover GBI sting targeting online child predators.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC) said they spent several months planning "Operation Southern Hospitality." The arrests were made over a two-day period starting Wednesday in Madison in east Georgia.
A GBI press release stated the operation targeted on-line child predators and those who traffic children in the sex industry, including those that are willing to pay to have sex with a child.
Each of those arrested was charged with criminal attempt to commit child molestation. One person was arrested on adult prostitution and related charges. Agents said more charges could be forthcoming.
Agents identified those arrested as:
- Charles Keown, 56, of Conyers
- Joshua Zuniga, 31, of Acworth
- Phillip Wood, 43, of Commerce
- Sheldon Hinson, 21 of Midland
- Percy Harris,37, of Madison
- Elizabeth Browner, 23, of Commerce
Along with the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC), the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Madison Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia and the District Attorney’s Office of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, eight (8) additional law enforcement entities participated in “Operation Southern Hospitality” as members of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Those agencies were:
- Athens-Clarke County Police Department
- Glynn County Sheriff’s Office
- Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
- Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
- Polk County Sheriff’s Office
- Toombs County Sheriff’s Office
- Woodstock Police Department
- Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC)
