PRESS RELEASE – This past weekend, the Grovetown Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, conducted “Operation Sweet Tee” aimed at targeting on-line child predators.

Beginning Thursday evening through early Sunday morning, undercover agents and investigators were engaged with over 1000 individuals, via the internet, of which 157 verified adults expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity, despite being advised that they were conversing with a “child.”

Of that number, 12 individuals stated that they would be willing to travel to meet with the “child” for sex and offered payment in exchange.

Some of the individuals engaging in the chats were identified as living as far away as Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Three local individuals were arrested during the operation:

Rubicel Castro-Cruz H/M, 33yoa, Edgefield, SC

Anthony Daquan Harley B/M, 30yoa, Aiken, SC

James Charles Waller W/M, 31yoa, Evans, GA

Castro-Cruz, Harley, and Waller were each charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children and committed to the Columbia County Detention Center.

The investigation continues and additional charges are expected. Multiple electronic devices and two vehicles were seized as part of the operation.

In addition, an out-of-state Registered Sex Offender was identified as one of the individuals attempting to arrange a meeting for sex with the “child” and a warrant has been issued for them as well.

Investigators are working to positively identify the remaining individuals engaged in the solicitation and additional charges and arrests are expected. In addition to the GBI, the Grovetown Police Department is grateful for the assistance of the following agencies:

Army Criminal Investigations Division

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

Department of Community Supervision

Hall County Sheriff’s Office

Navy Criminal Investigative Service

Polk County Police Department

Waynesboro Police Department

The Grovetown Police Department is proud to be a participating agency with the GBI ICAC task force and will continue to work diligently to identify and prosecute those in our community who prey on our most vulnerable.