A Liberty County man was one of five arrested during a sting operation against potential child sex crimes. The Emanuel County Sheriff ’s Office and the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, along with several other law enforcement agencies, conducted the three-day-long operation, called Operation Phantom Thread. According to Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, during the operation, undercover agents and investigators were engaged with over 500 people, on the internet and on cell phone apps. More than 75 were verified as adults who expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity. Despite being told multiple times that they were conversing with a “child,” 49 people stated they wished to travel to meet for sex, with several offering monetary payment in exchange. Of that 49, roughly 15 indicated that they were willing to travel to pre-arranged meeting locations provided by the investigators. Five individuals followed through with their plans and traveled to the meeting locations, where instead of a “child” they were met members of the Emanuel County Sherif ’s Office and assisting agencies. The following five individuals were arrested: They are being held at the Emanuel County Detention Center with no bond. In addition to those arrested, 10 other individuals have been identified for further investigation with arrests for various charges likely forthcoming, according to the Emanuel County Sheriff ’s Office. Anyone with information related to this matter, or…
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