Midland man among six arrested in GBI operation targeting online child predators

A Midland man is among six Georgia residents arrested during a Georgia Bureau of Investigation targeting online child predators and victims of child sex trafficking, the GBI said Friday in a release.

Sheldon Hinson, 21, was arrested during a two-day operation as part of “Operation Southern Hospitality.” Other suspects identified were Charles Keown, 56, of Conyers; Joshua Zuniga, 31, of Acworth; Phillip Wood, 43, of Commerce; Percy Harris, 37, of Madison; and Elizabeth Browner, 23, of Commerce. Each was charged with criminal attempt to commit child molestation and one was charged with adult prostitution in the operation that started Wednesday.

The operation was aimed at arresting those who are willing to exploit children by purchasing sex with a minor and the recruitment of victims of child sex trafficking. It targeted those who communicate with children online and travel to meet them for the purpose of having sex. Child predators visit chatrooms and websites on the Internet, start conversations and introduce sexual content before meeting with children.

Centered in Madison, “Operation Southern Hospitality” was a proactive effort that took several months of planning. The suspects ranged in age from 21 to 56 from multiple areas in the state, from Madison to metro Atlanta. Their occupations include a janitor, engineer, electrical lineman, production manager and plumber.

Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of more than 200 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. It also includes related criminal justice agencies and the prosecutor’s offices. Created by the U. S. Department of Justice and managed by the GBI, the task force’s mission is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was developed in response to a growing number of children and teenagers using the Internet, spread of child pornography and the heightened online activity by predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims. Last year, the task force made 244 arrests and worked 3,872 investigations.

Other agencies assisting the GBI include the GBI’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, the Madison Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Georgia and the District Attorney’s Office of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Local agencies include 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 and Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Midland man among six arrested in GBI operation targeting online child predators."