Operation Artemis Leads To A Number Of Arrests For Child Sex Crimes

Miles Ruder,

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Police have charged over a dozen individuals for soliciting children over the internet in what is the largest child predator operation in the Mooresville Police Department’s history.

Operation Artemis ran from May 28-30 and took approximately six months to prepare. It consisted of 19 agencies and 65 law enforcement personnel, officials said.

“This operation saved lives of countless children,” said MPD Chief Ron Campurciani.

Officials said the suspects used online platforms and social media to solicit minors between 13-15 years old for sexual activity.

Officials said the suspects used ChatApp, Facebook, Discord, DoubleList, FetLife, Grindr, Mega Personal Ad, Skip the Games and Sniffles to solicit the minor victims.

The suspects were between the ages of 25-78 and were as far away as Gretna, Virginia. Mooresville Police also has an outstanding warrant for 39-year-old Jose Beristain Solis for Solicitation of a Child by Computer.

Below are the names, charges and bond amounts for the suspects:

Kenneth Lanning, 78

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • Third-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
  • Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
  • $150,000 bond

Joshua Lara, 27

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Thomas Trickett, 65

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Dawson Davidson, 25

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Nien Eya Y, 45

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • Soliciting Prostitution of a Minor
  • $150,000

Elvin Rodezno Rodriguez, 39

  • Soliciting Prostitution of a Minor
  • $50,000

Michael Smith, 55

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Wilbur Cole III, 28

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $100,000

Aaron Mark Mayhew, 33

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Christopher Bell, 29

  • Solicitation of Prostitution
  • $1,500

Eutiquio Chavez, 36

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Daniel Yachnin, 28

  • Solicitation of a Child by Computer and Appearing
  • $50,000

Note: Individuals whose charges have been dismissed have been removed from this article