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Operation Phantom Thread sting nets Liberty County man
Crime scene tape

A Liberty County man was one of five arrested during a sting operation against potential child sex crimes.

The Emanuel County Sheriff ’s Office and the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, along with several other law enforcement agencies, conducted the three-day-long operation, called Operation Phantom Thread.

According to Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, during the operation, undercover agents and investigators were engaged with over 500 people, on the internet and on cell phone apps. More than 75 were verified as adults who expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity.

Despite being told multiple times that they were conversing with a “child,” 49 people stated they wished to travel to meet for sex, with several offering monetary payment in exchange.

Of that 49, roughly 15 indicated that they were willing to travel to pre-arranged meeting locations provided by the investigators.

Five individuals followed through with their plans and traveled to the meeting locations, where instead of a “child” they were met members of the Emanuel County Sherif ’s Office and assisting agencies.

The following five individuals were arrested:

  • Charlie Edward Brinson, 62, of Savannah
  • William Henry Carter, 49, of Midway
  • Shelton Lebron Glover, 57, of Statesboro
  • Candelario Isaac Lopez- Valezquez, 41, of Vidalia
  • Jacorbi Oryan Mays, 39, of Swainsboro Each was charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude.

They are being held at the Emanuel County Detention Center with no bond.

In addition to those arrested, 10 other individuals have been identified for further investigation with arrests for various charges likely forthcoming, according to the Emanuel County Sheriff ’s Office.

Anyone with information related to this matter, or any similar incident, is encouraged to contact Investigator Troy Fallin with the Criminal Investigations Division at Emanuel County Sheriff ’s Office.

Other agencies who assisted in the operation were the Swainsboro Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol, the Dublin Police Department, the Millen Police Department, the Grovetown Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Screven County Sheriff ’s Office, the Spalding County Sheriff ’s Office and the Candler County Sheriff ’s Office.