14 people arrested in largest child predator case in Mooresville police history – WSOC TV

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The suspects range in age from 25 to 78 and come from as far away as Gretna, Virginia.

Investigators said the suspects used online platforms to contact minors. These include ChatApp, Discord, DoubleList, Facebook, FetLife, Grindr, Mega Personal Ad, Skip the Games and Sniffies.

The minors the suspects were meeting for sex were between the ages of 13 and 15, authorities said.

“All of these individuals that we arrested were very knowledgeable about the ages of the people they were talking to,” the chief said. “It is not an error.”

The operation was highly organized and targeted.

“This operation saved the lives of countless children,” Chief Campurciani said in a statement.

Preparations for the operation began six months ago, when software alerted police to conversations about sex with children. That's when investigators used various online platforms to speak with the suspects.

Campurciani said after several messages between the suspects and investigators, they would then tell the suspect to meet them at a house to have sex. They said one of the suspects came from Virginia, three hours from the meeting place.

The police chief described these crimes as a parent's worst nightmare.

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“That’s why parents, when they go out, hold their child’s hand a little tighter,” Campurciani said. “That's why their heart stops when you're out with your child and you can't see them for a few minutes, and you don't know where they fall on the spectrum. And it's because of people like them who are still out there.

The chief said one of the suspects said he had been a bus driver at one point in his life.

Police said the following suspects were arrested during the operation:

• Brandon Cassiano, 30, of Mooresville, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Kenneth Lanning, 78, of Clayton, was charged with felony solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment, felony third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and felony second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor 'a minor.
• Joshua Lara, 27, of High Point, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Thomas Trickett, 65, of Cornelius, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Dawson Davidson, 25, of Taylorsville, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Paul Corkery, 45, of Concord, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Nien Eya Y, 45, of Charlotte, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and appearance and misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution of a minor.
• Elvin Rodezno Rodriguez, 39, of Charlotte, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution from a minor.
• Michael Smith, 55, of Charlotte, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Wilbur Cole III, 28, of Gretna, Virginia, was charged with misdemeanor computer solicitation of a child and arraignment.
• Aaron Mark Mayhew, 33, of Cherryville, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Christopher Bell, 29, of Mooresville, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution.
• Eutiquio Chavez, 36, of Concord, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.
• Daniel Yachnin, 28, of Cornelius, was charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer and arraignment.

There is still an outstanding arrest warrant for Jose Beristain Solis, 39, of Mooresville, for misdemeanor solicitation of a child by computer.

The suspects were experienced, Campurciani said.

“I don’t think this is a first time for any of these people, which is scary because it means they’ve done it multiple times without getting caught,” he said.

Further arrests are expected.

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