Twelve people arrested in TBI operation against child sex crimes

Images provided by TBI Row 1 (LR): Vincent, Staggs, Wilson, Shaddon | Row 2 (L-R): Farris, Puryear, Steven, Gunter | Row 3 (L-R): Curtis, Johnston, Alford, Brown

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Somerville man was one of 12 people arrested on child abuse charges in a raid conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

According to the TBI, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted Operation Protecting Tomorrow between February and April with the goal of identifying children who were victims of sextortion and sexual exploitation online.

Eighteen known underage victims of sextortion in Tennessee were found through tips reported on social media platforms. Authorities are looking for 22 other people between the ages of 11 and 17.

Search warrants turned up 181 electronic devices and a child sex doll, TBI said. According to the agency, the devices contain more than 264,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

Those arrested are:

1. John Vincent53, Murfreesboro: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (2 counts)
2. Courtney Staggs29, Jamestown: Aggravated Rape of a Child (1 count), Aggravated Sexual Violence (1 count), Particularly Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (6 counts), Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (6 counts)
3. Cody Wilson31, Colombia: solicitation of a minor (1 count), solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor – exploitation of a minor by electronic means (1 count)
4. Kyle Shaddon28, Paris: Sexual exploitation of a minor (3 counts)
5. Justin Farris41, Paris: Particularly serious sexual exploitation of a minor (1 count), Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (1 count)
6. Marcus Puryear47, Somerville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (20 counts), Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (20 counts)
7. ShawnSteven32, Decatur: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (5 counts)
8th. Cody Gunter29, Niota: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 count), Recruitment of a Minor (1 count)
9. John Curtis32, McMinnville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 count)
10. Clifton Johnston38, McMinnville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 count)
11. Garry Alford42, McMinnville: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (1 count)
12. Ernest Brown45, Paris: Sexual exploitation of a minor (6 counts), Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (2 counts)