11 Arrested in South Carolina Online Child Predator Sting Operation

YORK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA — Eleven men have been arrested in a sweeping online child predator sting in South Carolina, authorities announced this week.

Operation Huntsman

The York County Sheriff’s Office led the effort in August and September, partnering with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and federal agencies including the FBI.

The operation, called Operation Huntsman, involved up to 40 officers at a time who posed as minors online. The suspects, known as “travelers,” allegedly arrived at undercover locations believing they were meeting children between the ages of 10 and 16 for sexual encounters.

“These suspects target children online, and many have previously been hands-on offenders with victims who may or may not have come forward,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Suspects and Charges

The men arrested range in age from 18 to 63 and came from South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Honduras. Among them:

• Travis Ethan Betts, 28, Smoaks, SC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, solicitation of a minor, dissemination of obscene material.
• Damaris Latrez Johnson, 23, Rock Hill, SC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, solicitation of a minor.
• Jonni Osman Pineda, 38, Honduras – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, solicitation of a minor; previously deported three times, now in federal custody.
• Anthony Luis Olmedo, 43, Charlotte, NC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, solicitation of a minor.
• Jacob Eugene Tester, 25, Liberty, SC – Multiple counts including sexual exploitation of a minor.
• Ralf Siehl, 57, Indian Land, SC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor.
• Ja’Bri Agurs Feaster, 22, Rock Hill, SC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, solicitation of a minor.
• Alexander Gerard Arounerangsy, 30, Mooresville, NC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, prostitution of a minor.
• Richard Frances Lennox Jr., 48, Fort Mill, SC – Multiple counts including first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
• Wilmer Isaak Zelaya, 18, Houston, TX – Participation in the prostitution of a minor, possession of methamphetamine.
• Srinivas Mutpur, 60, Charlotte, NC – Criminal sexual conduct with minor, obstruction of justice.

Sheriff Calls It “Good Versus Evil”

Sheriff Tony Breeden described the operation as part of an ongoing fight to protect children. “This is a battle of good versus evil,” he said, praising the teamwork between local, state, and federal officers.

Robert Hamilton, director of YCSO’s Criminal Intelligence and Homeland Security Unit, called child exploitation “an epidemic in this country.” He noted that one suspect even brought methamphetamine, possibly intending to supply it to a child.

Warning for Parents

Authorities urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity and be alert to who they communicate with on apps and social media.

“Parents cannot assume predators aren’t targeting their children,” Breeden said, stressing that vigilance is the first line of defense.

The York County Sheriff’s Office said more arrests are possible as investigators continue tracking additional suspects.

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