A dozen SC men among those arrested in undercover sting, police say. Here's why
The first wave of a multiagency undercover chat operation that began in April and led to the arrest of 14 individuals accused of attempting to sexually exploit children online, including a dozen men from South Carolina, the Irmo Police Department said Monday in a news release.
The operation focused on combating sexual exploitation of children, specifically those targeted online, by using undercover law enforcement officers posing as minors or adults with access to children, police said in the release. These investigations, commonly known as “traveler” operations, allowed officers to identify individuals who attempted to arrange sexual encounters with children they believed to be underage, according to the release. The undercover work allowed officers to intervene before an actual child became a victim, police said.
“Protecting our children remains a top priority,” Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale said in the release. “These investigations are proactive by design."
As a result of the operation, the following men were arrested or are pending charges:
• Russ Gooden-Waites, 47, Columbia — criminal solicitation of a minor
• Juan Carlos Ramirez Sotelo, 35, Cayce — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor; ICE detainer issued
• Brandon A. Sweeper, 40, Columbia — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor; first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
• Dylan Thomas Arms, 33, Chapin — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor; dissemination of obscene material to a minor
• Patrick Acree Richardson, 24, Columbia — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor; first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor
• Maurice Junior Newman, 33, Southbridge, Massachusetts — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor
• Dame Diagne, 39, Sumter — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor
• Corey Weston Jamison, 45, Orangeburg — criminal solicitation of a minor; dissemination of obscene material to a minor
• Eric Donyae Cathey, 37, Memphis, Tennessee — criminal solicitation of a minor
• Malik Moore, 29, Columbia — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor
• Darius Deontre Strother, 28, Columbia — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor
• Elmer Javier Baquedano Maroquin, 32, Lexington — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor; first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor; ICE detainer issued
• Amos Maurice Pearson, 42, Anderson — criminal solicitation of a minor; criminal sexual conduct with a minor
• Antoine Raynard Aiken, 47, Summerville — criminal solicitation of a minor; dissemination of obscene material to a minor
Dale said online child exploitation investigations require extensive coordination as well as vigilance, and that the investigation is ongoing.
The operation was conducted in partnership with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens Police Department, South Carolina Department of Corrections, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.
“This operation demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work together to keep our communities and our children safe,” Dale said.
Police said they are continuing to investigating crimes against children, including more undercover work, and encourage parents to remain engaged in their children’s online activity.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 803-781-8088, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit tips online.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 2:51 PM with the headline "A dozen SC men among those arrested in undercover sting, police say. Here's why."
