Nearly a dozen men are under arrest after authorities say they targeted and solicited children for sex.
Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham announced the arrests Monday following last week’s two-day operation.
An Alabama state trooper was among those charged. ALEA officials announced he has resigned.
The operation was carried out Thursday and Friday at an undisclosed hotel in the Montgomery area.
The U.S. Marshals Service, ALEA, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Covenant Rescue Group assisted in the effort.
“It ain’t about us talking to the people that live here. We’re talking about the people that want to come here and prey on our young people,’’ Cunningham said. “We in law enforcement are sick and tired of it and we’re putting an end to it.”
“We’re not going to allow you to do this to young people,’’ the sheriff said.
Assistant Chief Deputy Wesley Richerson said the operation was aimed at those who target and solicit people online and agree to engage in unlawful sex acts with those who they believe to be minors. When they showed up, however they were met by law enforcement investigators.
Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey said the suspects could face up to life in prison if convicted.
“The seriousness of this is incredible,’’ Bailey said. “If you think about it, we have grown, adult men going to hotels to have sex with children.”
“That should sicken all of us,’’ he said. “Each one is facing up to life in prison and it’s going to my goal …to make sure these individuals take their last breath in the Alabama Department of Corrections.”
A similar operation last year in Montgomery County led to the arrests of 15 people, and the sheriff said they’re not done.
“If we didn’t get you this time, we’ll get you next time,’’ Cunningham said.
Those arrested on charges of attempted first-degree human trafficking, electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act are:
– Dai Xing Chen, 45, of New Albany, N.Y.
– Subin Choi, 34, of Atlanta
– James Clifford Grier, 44, Montgomery
– Michael Lynn Hester, 54, Montgomery
– James LeGregory McGhee, 47, Montgomery
– William Robert Ogburn Jr., 44, Montgomery
– Ryan Christian Rhodes, 26, Tallassee. He was also charged with resisting arrest.
– Justin Gregory Tomberlin, 36, Deatsville
– Joseph Carroll Vasseur III, 38, Opelousa, Louisiana
– Owen Delma Walker Jr., 57, Montgomery
– Qu’Darrius D’arcy Ja’Quan White, 24, Montgomery
