Joint Operation Busts Nine Online Predators

Sheriff Carter Weaver announces that a joint operation spearheaded by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Division led to the capture of nine men seeking to exploit and abuse children through online platforms. Operation Tidal Wave, finalized after extensive enforcement efforts begun with a sting operation in late February, brought together representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), the US Secret Service, the US Attorney’s Office, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Beach Police Department, Conway Police Department, and the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

The operation targeted individuals who were identified through coordinated investigation as attempting to establish illicit relationships with minors online. During the endeavor, suspects were arrested after trying to meet with who they believed were children. Some compounded their crimes by sharing pornographic photos online or bringing drugs to the meeting.

Those arrested and their charges:

Thomas Jarrod Hood, 32, of Myrtle Beach
● Distribution of methamphetamine
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years
● Dissemination of obscene material to a person under 18 years of age

Nicardo Melbourne Vassell, 35, of Myrtle Beach
● Failure to stop for blue light (attempted to flee)
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

Kevin John Richmond, 51, of Myrtle Beach
● Solicitation of a minor
● Sexual exploitation of a minor 1st degree
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years
● Dissemination of harmful material to minors

Jason Alexander Morgan, 25, of Calabash, NC
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

Mark E. Tilghman, 62, Surfside Beach
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

Nicholas James Russo, 31, of Myrtle Beach
● Solicitation of a minor
● Attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, victim aged 11 to 14 years

Robert Edward Calloway, 48, of Myrtle Beach
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

Julio Francisco Gomez Sauzo Apellidos, 31, foreign national
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim under 16 years of age

Weunder Inai Segura Lopez, 34, North Myrtle Beach
● Solicitation of a minor
● Criminal sexual contact with a minor or attempt, victim aged 11 to 14 years

Sheriff Weaver thanked all the agencies who brought their experience and resources to the joint effort.

“The sad reality is that I am not surprised by the number of predators that were charged, but I am sickened nonetheless by how arrogant and willing they were to victimize our children,” Sheriff Weaver said.