Police: 14 charged in attempts to sexually exploit children online

Irmo, S.C. (WOLO)– Police in Irmo say an undercover investigation into attempts to sexually exploit children online lead to 14 arrests.

Police say during the investigation, undercover law enforcement posed as minors or adults with access to children.

Investigators say the suspects attempted to arrange sexual encounters with children they believed to be underage.

“Protecting our children remains a top priority,” said Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale. “These investigations are proactive by design. Our goal is to identify individuals who are seeking to exploit children online and intervene before that child becomes a victim. This operation demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work together to keep our communities and our children safe.”

Police say the following individuals were arrested or are pending additional enforcement action:

• Russ Gooden-Waites, 47, Columbia ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

• Juan Carlos Ramirez Sotelo, 35, Cayce ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor; ICE detainer issued

• Brandon A. Sweeper, 40, Columbia ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree

• Dylan Thomas Arms, 33, Chapin ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor

• Patrick Acree Richardson, 24, Columbia ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree

• Maurice Junior Newman, 33, Southbridge, Massachusetts ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor • Dame Diagne, 39, Sumter ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

• Corey Weston Jamison, 45, Orangeburg ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor

• Eric Donyae Cathey, 37, Memphis, Tennessee ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

• Malik Moore, 29, Columbia ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

• Darius Deontre Strother, 28, Columbia ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

• Elmer Javier Baquedano Maroquin, 32, Lexington ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree; ICE detainer issued

• Amos Maurice Pearson, 42, Anderson ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor

• Antoine Raynard Aiken, 47, Summerville ‒ Criminal Solicitation of a Minor; Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor

Police say this is an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Irmo Police Department at (803) 781-8088 or South Carolina Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.