NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Eighteen people across Georgia have been arrested in connection with possession, production or distribution of images of child pornography.
The arrests come after a three-month investigation known as Operation Secret Guardian by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and several sheriffs' offices across the state.
The GBI says 24 search warrants were executed in 16 counties Wednesday.
Law enforcement officers conducting the searches were looking for evidence of distribution of child pornography using the Internet.
Investigators said hundreds of digital devices were confiscated and examined, leading to the 18 arrests.
Everyone arrested was charged under the Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.
"The investigators who work child exploitation cases are some of the most dedicated law enforcement officers there are, despite the psychological toll this type of investigation exacts on them," said GBI Special Agent in Charge Debbie Garner.
Investigators said additional warrants have been issued based on what they found on the devices and more arrests may be coming.
Channel 2's Mike Petchenik obtained a photo of one of the arrests in Roswell.
Here is a list of the people that were arrested:
- Earl Benson, age 68, Dawsonville, GA, contract employee
- Joseph Brantley - age 59, Waynesboro, GA, auto parts store employee
- Jeremy Converse - age 37, Dallas, GA, tow truck driver
- Casilvo Valdivi Crisanto - age 42, Glynn County, fast food restaurant worker
- Isidro Delibrado - age 49, Marietta, GA, flooring installer
- Richard Ellis Ford - age 42, Rossville, GA, fast food worker
- Jaco Armani Griggs - age 29, Covington, GA, unemployed/disabled
- Tyler Kauffman - age 23 Marietta, GA, unknown
- Jason Kingry - age 43, Atlanta, GA, construction worker
- Bobby Justin Lynn - age 29, Buford, GA, retail worker
- Uriah McCullers – age 37, Bethlehem, GA, Deputy
- Julio Gomez Munoz – age 28, Roswell, GA, restaurant worker
- Samuel Oh - age 30, Hinesville, GA, military personnel
- Juan Cesar Olvera - age 38, Athens, GA, restaurant worker
- Matthew Payton - age 32, Smyrna, GA, fast food worker
- Christopher Rinker – age 46, Hamilton, GA, LAN engineer
- David Christopher Sammons - age 29, Eatonton, GA, aerospace company employee
- Colby Harrison Waldroup - age 23, Monroe, GA, unknown
WSBTV