York County Sheriff’s Office: 10 suspected child predators arrested in “Operation Home Alone”

Operation Home Alone
Courtesy: York County Sheriff’s Office

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, 10 suspected child predators have been arrested as a result of the multi-day “Operation Home Alone” investigation. The York County Sheriff’s Office says they conducted the operation with the assistance of 13 other law enforcement agencies including the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, South Carolina Attorney Generals’ Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations, US Secret Service, York Police Department, Rock Hill Police Department, Fort Mill Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.

According to investigators, seven of the 10 individuals came to a residence with the intention of having a sexual encounter with a minor. Officials say the men believed the minors were between the ages of 10-17.

“We want our communities safe, we want our internet safe,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “If these suspects had not been identified and arrested talking to an officer, they would likely have been talking to a live child victim.”

Authorities say the suspects in this case targeted children online, and encourage parents to be vigilant about protecting their kids on the internet.

“The message we need to communicate to parents in our community is, it’s extremely important to know what your children are doing on their phones,” said Sheriff Tolson. “Know what your child’s passwords are, know what apps they are using, and check them from time to time to see who they are talking with in chat rooms or texts.”

The York County Sheriff’s Office provided the following list of the names of the suspects arrested, along with the charges they face:

1. David Medina Osorio

• AGE: 34
• Williow Wood Lane, Rock Hill, SC
• OCCUPATION: Unemployed
• CHARGE(S): Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree, Criminal solicitation of a minor

2.    Donald Dewaine Dorsey

• AGE: 42
• Possum Hollow Road, Indian Land, SC
• OCCUPATION: Unemployed
• CHARGE(S): Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree, Criminal solicitation of a minor

3.    Jose Jesus Garcia-Arellano

• AGE: 25
• Goldsboro, NC
• OCCUPATION: Unemployed
• CHARGE(S): Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st Degree, Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree, Criminal solicitation of a minor (X2), Disseminate Obscene Material to a Person less than 18-years-old

4.    Joseph Scott Varalli

• AGE: 30
• York, SC
• OCCUPATION: Unemployed
• CHARGE(S): Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree, Promoting the Prostitution of a Minor

5.    Keith Alan Grey

• AGE: 44
• China Grove, NC
• OCCUPATION: Unknown
• CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor, Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor – Victim under 11 years of age 1st Degree, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st Degree.

6.    Michael John Worley

• AGE: 48
• Canton, NC
• OCCUPATION: Construction
• CHARGE(S): Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree
• ADDITIONAL: Registered sex offender in North Carolina. Just released from federal prison November 2020. Off house arrest March 1, 2021.

7.    Scott Robert Pless

• AGE: 52
• Rock Hill, SC
• OCCUPATION: Auto Body Mechanic
• CHARGE(S): Criminal Solicitation of a Minor.

8.    Walter Glenn Witherspoon

• AGE: 41
• Le Grange, NC
• OCCUPATION: Truck Driver
• CHARGE(S): Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree, Promoting the Prostitution of a Minor

9.    Dennis James Hastings

• AGE: 60
• Chester, SC
• OCCUPATION: Machinist
• CHARGE(S): Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st Degree

10.    Nilesh Karthikeya Aleti

• AGE: 29
• Charlotte, NC
• OCCUPATION: Independent software company
• CHARGE(S): Promoting the Prostitution of a Minor

Investigators say they are still working to identify more suspects and more charges may follow.