More arrests in child sex investigation
Hernando Police Chief Scott Worsham Monday announced the arrests of five individuals as part of a continuing investigation into child sex predators.
The effort actually began back in August in an operation with the Mississippi State Attorney General’s Office and other state law enforcement agencies called “Operation Masked Justice” and Hernando Police have continued to seek more individuals since then.
The latest list of arrests that have taken place date back to Oct. 26 but are just now being released by the police department.
Arrested Oct. 26 was Anthony Dewayne Love, age 26 of Southaven, who was charged with Enticement of a Child to Meet for Sexual Purposes and Enticement of a Child to Produce Visual Depiction of Sexual Conduct.
On Nov. 9, Joshua Hammond, age 18 of Memphis was arrested and charged with Enticement of a Child to Meet for Sexual Purposes.
Arrested on Nov. 17 was Alexander Occean, age 32 of Cordova, Tennessee, who faces a charge of Enticement of a Child to Meet for Sexual Purposes.
The fourth arrest came two days later on Nov. 19 when Joel Adam Reed, age 29 of Byhalia was arrested and charged with Enticement of a Child to Meet for Sexual Purposes and Enticement of a Child to Produce Visual Depiction of Sexual Conduct.
The latest arrest came on Nov.24 with charges against Robert Coleman, age 31 of Memphis. He is also charged with Enticement of a Child to Meet for Sexual Purposes and Enticement of a Child to Produce Visual Depiction of Sexual Conduct.
According to DeSoto County Adult Detention Center information Monday night, Hammond remained in jail on $75,000 bond. Love, Coleman and Occean had bonded out. Reed remained in jail on a total of $150,000 bond.
January court dates were listed for the men.
Worsham said the five brings to 32 the number of arrests in the three-month long operation.
“Parents, please stay vigilant in observing and monitoring your children’s social media,” Worsham said.
All photos courtesy DeSoto County Jail.
