12 people arrested for crimes against children in year-long undercover chat operation, officials say

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A year-long undercover social media chat operation resulted in about a dozen arrests for crimes against children.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) conducted “Operation Cast Net” in July of last year, arresting twelve men for various crimes involving juveniles , were arrested, the sheriff’s office announced Wednesday afternoon.

Three additional cases were referred to other authorities for follow-up within their jurisdiction.

The charges against those arrested range from traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity to criminal solicitation of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, among others.

“I am extremely proud of the role the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies played in this operation,” said Sheriff Graziano. “This collaborative effort has made families and children safer in Charleston County, and we look forward to the day when parents worry less about their children online.” Because of the hard work these officers and deputies put in during this operation , we have come one step closer to this goal.”

Nearly a dozen state, local and federal law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation, including Charleston PD, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Moncks Corner PD, Mount Pleasant PD, Office of the Inspector General, SC Dept. of Corrections and the US Secret Service, to name a few.

Below is a list of those arrested and their respective charges provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office:

Charles Dorta-Bruno – Arrested on July 26, 2023

• Traveled to meet a minor for sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sex Crimes With a Minor 2nd Degree
• Attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, 1st degree
• Attempted to distribute obscene material to a minor
• Criminal incitement of minors

Juan Marcos Cotto – Arrested on 26.07.2023

• Traveled to meet minors for sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sex Crimes With a Minor 2nd Degree
• Criminal solicitation of a minor

Jason B. Smith – July 26, 2023

• Traveled to meet a minor for sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted criminal sexual offense with a minor 2nd degree
• Criminal solicitation of a minor

Mark D. Desrochers – Arrested July 27, 2023

• Traveled to meet minors for sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sex Crimes With a Minor 2nd Degree
• Criminal solicitation of a minor

Ricardo Hernandez – Arrested on July 28, 2023

• Traveled during Operation Cast Net to meet with a minor for sexual activities
• Attempted Criminal Sex Crimes With a Minor 2nd Degree
• Resisting arrest
• Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree (two counts)
• Criminal Recruitment of a Minor (two counts)

Robert William Nazzaro – Arrested August 9, 2023

• Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree (two counts)
• Attempted distribution of obscene material to minors under 18 years of age (six
  counts)
• Criminal recruitment of a minor (seven counts)
• Previously arrested during a SC ICAC chat operation and later convicted on April 5, 2023
• Registered sex offender at time of arrest and on probation.

Johnathan M. Bryant – Arrested 09/12/2023

• CCSO
  o Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree (two counts)
  o Attempted distribution of obscene material to a minor under 18 years of age
  (three counts)
  o Criminal recruitment of a minor (ten counts)
• MPPD
  o Attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, 1st degree
  o Criminal recruitment of a minor (two counts)
  o Attempted distribution of obscene material to a minor under 18 years of age

Gary Hampton – Arrested 10/16/2023

• Attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, 1st degree
• Attempted distribution of obscene material to a minor under 18 years of age (two
  counts)
• Criminal solicitation of a minor
• Registered as a sex offender at the time of arrest.
• The defendant was arrested during an ICAC search at his home in Kentucky
  warrant for which he was charged.
  o Possession of material depicting a minor under 12 years of age engaged in a sexual performance (five
  counts)
  o Possession of material depicting a minor over 12 years of age engaged in a sexual performance (15
  counts

Antwuan M. Williams – Arrested 12/01/2023

• Criminal Recruitment of a Minor (two counts)

Dywan A. Evans – Arrested 01/23/2024

• Criminal advertising for a minor
• Attempted distribution of obscene material to minors

Devontae Grundy – Arrested 07/03/2024

• Criminal solicitation of a minor

Bryan C. Smith – Arrested 3/19/2024

• Attempted participation in the prostitution of a minor (two counts)
• Sex Offender Registry Violation, 1st Offense (two counts)
• The defendant has previously been convicted and is currently a registered sex offender.