Four men have been charged on federal charges following a multi-agency sting operation targeting cyber predators.
According to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, the males have all been charged with Attempted Enticement and Inducement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, which has a statutory punishment of 10 years to life in prison if convicted. A conviction entails permanent registration as a sex offender, at least five years to life of supervised release upon completion of any jail sentence, and significant financial penalties.
There is no parole under the federal system.
“As exemplified in Operation Nightfall, the dangers of the internet require the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies in identifying adults who are using online platforms to target children,” stated U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We will continue our work protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”
Those indicted on federal charges under Operation Nightfall include:
- Bobby Edwards Crews-Couch (41) of Pooler, Ga.
- Lancaster Graham (38), of Garden City, Ga.
- Clifton Newman (34), of Savannah
- Henry London Taylor (69), of Savannah
Criminal indictments merely include charges; defendants are assumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Operation Nightfall, a proactive undercover child exploitation investigation, was coordinated and investigated by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, and the Savannah Police Department, with assistance from multiple state and local law enforcement agencies, the Southern District of Georgia US Attorney’s Office, and the Chatham County.
The operation targeted people who communicate with youngsters online in order to commit criminal sex activities. Seven people, including the four listed federal defendants, were detained on several state offenses related to online sexual conversations with alleged juveniles and seeking to meet a child for illegal sex activities.
Sherri A. Stephan and Timothy P. Dean, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Southern District of Georgia, are prosecuting the defendants on behalf of the federal government.