Authorities say they made 21 arrests in an operation targeting child predators and “Johns” in Greenville County.
The four-day sting was called Operation Intercept.
Greenville County Interim Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown told reporters that 10 adults solicited sex from what they believed was a 14-year-old. But when the suspects arrived to meet with a minor, they were met by officers.
Eleven johns seeking sexual favors with a prostitute discovered the prostitute was actually an undercover officer, Brown said.
Greenville Police Department hosted the operation. Several other law enforcement agencies joined forces with the two departments, including Spartanburg, Richland, York and
Florence County Sheriff’s Offices, along with Mauldin and Simpsonville Police Departments.
The sheriff’s office said in a news release that undercover officers posed as prostitutes to identify “Johns.” The team also posed as a 14-year-old child and initiated online chats in order “to target and identify those looking for sex with the children in our community.”
Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said they prevented crimes for occurring.
These are individuals who would violate your children, Chief Miller said.
Brown urged parents and guardians to monitor children’s online activity.
“If you see something say something,” he said.
The Greenville Co. Sheriff’s Office announced the following arrests in the operation:
 Larger | John Diaz Jr., 41, of Greenville charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | James Hollis Green III, 46, of Greenville charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | Jonathan D. Hallman, 25, of Liberty charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | Brett H. Matheson, 32, of Tamassee charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | Marc D. McCrary, 19, of Myrtle Beach charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | Rigoberto Pagoda, 43, of Greenville charged with criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | William Smith, 20, of Hartwell, Ga. charged with criminal solicitation of a minor | |
 Larger | Brett M. Tallent, 24, of Greenville charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | Troy D. Tillotson, 26, of Honea Path charged with first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, dissemination, procuring or promoting obscenity, criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt | |
 Larger | Wiley D. Tucker Jr., 26, of Woodruff charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and criminal sexual conduct with minor or attempt |
The following suspects were cited for soliciting prostitution
 Larger | Tyrone Cameron Anglin, 52, was cited for soliciting prostitution | |
 Larger | Michael Bogenschutz, 33, was cited for soliciting prostitution | |
 Larger | Alberto Bustos, 38, was cited for soliciting prostitution | |
 Larger | Jon A. Chance, 44, was cited for soliciting prostitution | |
 Larger | Suhail M. Chodry, 33, of Elberton, Ga was cited for soliciting prostitution and charged with resisting arrest | |
 Larger | Michael Fulton, 45, was cited for soliciting prostitution | |
 Larger | Michael Sadler, 29, was cited for soliciting prostitution | |
 Larger | Marquis Slade, 27, of Greenville was cited for soliciting prostitution and charged with resisting arrest | |
 Larger | Brian Spurgeon, 47, of Greenville cited for soliciting prostitution and charged with resisting arrest | |
 Larger | Damien Williams, 37, was cited for soliciting prostitution |
