Columbia police officials have announced the arrests of 10 individuals as part of a child exploitation and human trafficking ring the department identified as “Operation Sparrow.”
Several agencies, including the department’s Major Crimes Bureau and its Crime Suppresion Team, have been working the case the past month. They were assisted by non-governmental organizations FREE International, KlaasKids, Called 2 Rescue, Anonymity Rescue, Raven Cell, Changed Unchained and Sports World Against Trafficking. The state Attorney General’s Office Human Trafficking Division, Mississippi Department of Corrections and the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Taskforce also assisted in the operation.
The suspects arrested during the culmination of the sting operation Jan. 15-16 are accused of intending to meet with a child for sexual purposes.
In addition to those under arrest, police said others are under investigation with criminal charges pending.
While not going into detail due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Columbia police said in a news release that there were a number of victims who were rescued from possible forced prostitution or sex slavery.
Those arrested in Operation Sparrow were identified as follows:
Causton Magee — 28 yrs old — McComb
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Sexually Oriented Materials: Dissemination To Persons Under 18
Kevin Korndorffer — 20 yrs old — Petal
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Antonio Daniels — 23 yrs old — Columbia
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Andrew Pearson —19 yrs old — Perkinston
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Harry Brister — 28 yrs old — Hattiesburg
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Colby Bourn —24 yrs old — McComb
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Sexually Oriented Materials: Dissemination to Persons Under 18
I.darious McKelphin — 22 yrs old — Tylertown
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Mason Parker — 28 yrs old — Bay Springs
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
Jermichael Caston —29 yrs old — Tylertown
Enticement Of A Child To Meet For Sexual Purposes
ladarious Thornton — 25 yrs old — Laurel
Cited and released for Sexually Oriented Materials: Dissemination to Persons Under 18
Police are continuing their investigation in the case and other charges are pending.
