10 Arrested In Tuscaloosa Undercover Sting Targeting Child Exploitation

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Ten men were arrested by authorities in Tuscaloosa last Friday and Saturday as part of a large-scale undercover operation by the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force that focused on the suppression of child exploitation.

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On Monday, Captain Phil Simpson, commander of the Task Force, praised the investigators working the operation and expressed hope that Tuscaloosa is safer as a result.

“The offenders in these cases use social media apps and websites to prey on young, vulnerable victims," Simpson said. "We hope operations like this get the attention of online sexual predators and ultimately protect would-be victims.”

Here's breakdown of the arrests and individual charges for each suspect.

· Henry Franklin Averette, 25, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child. His bond was set at $90,000.

· Mark Anthony Blackmon, 45, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child. His bond was set at $90,000.

· Octavius Letrell Dailey, 31, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree, and Resisting Arrest. His total bond was set at $99,000.

· Malika Raheem Guyton, 24, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Transmitting Obscene Material to a Child by Computer. His total bond was set at $120,000.

· Nathaniel Rodrick Johnson III, 21, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Resisting Arrest, and Attempting to Elude. His total bond was set at $102,000.

· Kane Ronterrius Perryman, 22, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Pistol Permit Required. His total bond was set at $95,000.

· Eric Lamort Taylor, 45, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child. His total bond was set at $90,000.

· Kevin Christopher Wallace, 19, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Pistol Permit Required, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana First Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His total bond was set at $110,000.

· William Earl Washington Jr., 23, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Transmitting Obscene Material to a Child by Computer, Attempting to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Operations. His total bond was set at $144,000.

· William Rogers Wright, 36, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Transmitting Obscene Material to a Child by Computer, Pistol Permit Required, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance. His total bond was set at $140,000.

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