A multi-agency initiative led by the Mooresville Police Department resulted in eight arrests for cyber crimes against children.
The initiative, known as ‘Operation Millstone,’ brought together 78 law enforcement personnel from 21 local, state, and federal agencies.
Those arrested ranged in age from 25 to 91 and reportedly solicited youngsters using a variety of online channels.
The charges include felony solicitation of a child via computer, with some defendants also facing charges for appearing to meet a kid. Mooresville Police said the operation was based on ‘Operation Artemis,’ a 2024 probe that resulted in 15 arrests.
The eight individuals taken into custody include:
- Damon Jefferson, 25, Salisbury – Felony solicitation and appearing; $250,000 bond
- Judson Creech II, 36, Mooresville – Felony solicitation and appearing; $30,000 bond
- Jorge Armondo Martinez, 37, Charlotte – Felony solicitation and appearing; $30,000 bond
- Ismael Vazquez, 33, Charlotte – Felony solicitation and appearing; $30,000 bond
- James David Courtney, 91, Lexington, SC – Felony solicitation; $50,000 bond
- Eddie Rigdon, 72, Leland – Felony solicitation; $2,500 bond
- William Dane Tobey, 75, Salisbury – Felony solicitation and appearing; $30,000 bond
- Manuel Crispin Gonzalez, 35, Winston-Salem – Misdemeanor charges unrelated to solicitation; $1,000 bond