By Staff Report
Two Washington County men have been arrested during Operation Rogue Wave, a joint multi-agency Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Against Children operation launched in Panama City Beach last week.
24-year-old Marquise Trevion Williams and 24-year-old Olajuwon Tyrone Brown, both of Chipley, were taken into custody during the sting operation.
Operation Rogue Wave resulted in 21 men being arrested on various charges including traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, solicitation of a child for sexual acts and possession of child pornography.
Williams is charged with traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, solicitation of a child for sexual acts – two counts, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
Brown is charged with carrying an unregistered concealed weapon and possession of marijuana more than 20 grams.
The sting operation which began May 18 and ended May 22, was an on-line investigation which targeted persons wanting to travel and engage in sexual activity or transmit harmful materials to a child. During the operation, detectives were also sent out to follow up on leads provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCEMC), iregarding persons either possessing or distributing child porn.
During the operation, 13 people were arrested for traveling to meet a child for sexual activity; six were arrested for possessing and or disturbing child pornography as a result of the NCMEC tips; one was arrested for felony drug and weapons charges; and one was arrested on a sexual battery charge out of Alabama.
Operation Rogue Wave was a joint multi-agency operation in conjunction and in cooperation with the 14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Panama City Police Department, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service.
As investigations continue, more arrests are expected. PCB Police are seeking warrants on three additional suspects on charges of transmitting harmful material to a child and solicitation of a child for sexual activity.
Jim Saunders