MOORESVILLE, N.C. — More than a dozen alleged child sex predators were arrested during the largest child predator bust in Mooresville Police Department history, investigators announced Friday.
Operation Artemis involved numerous county, state and federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and numerous local police departments and sheriff's offices statewide. In total, 15 suspects were charged for internet crimes against children.
Detectives began preparing for the operation six months ago, with 19 agencies working together to identify suspects. The suspects range in age from 25 to 78 and were identified using numerous social media apps and websites, including Facebook, ChatApp, Discord, DoubleLIst, FetLife, Grindr, Mega Personal Ad and Skip the Games, to solicit minors ages 13-15, detectives alleged. The suspects believed they were meeting these children for sexual activities.
"This operation saved the lives of countless children," Mooresville Police Chief Ron Campurciani said.
The following suspects were taken into custody from May 28-30:
- Brandon Cassiano, 30, of Mooresville: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Kenneth Lanning, 78, of Clayton: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing, third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
- Joshua Lara, 27, of High Point: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Thomas Tricket, 65, of Cornelius: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Dawson Davidson, 25, of Taylorsville: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Paul Corkery, 45, of Concord: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Nien Eya Y, 45, of Charlotte: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Elvin Rodezno Rodriguez, 39, of Charlotte: Soliciting prostitution of a minor
- Michael Smith, 55, of Charlotte: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Wilbur Cole III, 28, of Gretna, Virginia: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Aaron Mark Mayhew, 33, of Cherryville: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Christopher Bell, 29, of Mooresville: Solicitation of prostitution
- Eutiquio Chavez, 36, of Concord: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
- Daniel Yachnin, 28, of Cornelius: Solicitation of a child by computer and appearing
Mooresville police have an outstanding warrant for 39-year-old Jose Beristain Solis for solicitation of a child by computer.
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WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.