Ten people have been arrested and charged in a massive three-day child sex crime operation known as “Operation Catawba Net,” led by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said the mission was clear — to track down and arrest individuals using the internet to prey on minors.
The sting operation involved local, state, and federal agencies, working together to take down suspected predators who allegedly used online platforms to solicit minors for sexual acts.
Who Was Arrested in Operation Catawba Net
The following individuals are facing multiple felony sex crime charges:
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Thomas Davonne Ellerbe, 26, of Morrisville, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act and appear; attempted indecent liberties with a child; four counts of disseminating obscene material.
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Douglas Peter Hess, 72, of Conover, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act and appear; attempted indecent liberties with a child; 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
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George Wriston Payne, 59, of Charlotte, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act and appear; attempted indecent liberties with a child; one count of disseminating obscene material.
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Kim Harlan Harris, 70, of Lincolnton, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act and appear; attempted indecent liberties with a child; three counts of disseminating obscene material.
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William Patrick Abernathy, 56, of Newton, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act; second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor; third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
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Ronay Roblero Bartolon, 44, of Conover, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act; four counts of disseminating obscenity.
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Carroll Randol Woodie Jr., 61, of Hickory, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act and appear; two counts of disseminating obscenity.
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Robert Gaspare Micciulla, 58, of Valdese, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act; indecent liberties with a child.
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George Eleftheriadis, 51, of Marion, NC – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act.
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Justin Dean Akers, 41, of Newport, VA – Soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act.
This investigation included coordination with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, NC SBI, and multiple county and municipal police departments across the region.
Other agencies that participated include:
Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (VA), Hickory Police Department, Newton Police Department, Conover Police Department, Maiden Police Department, Mooresville Police Department, Huntersville Police Department, Cornelius Police Department, Catawba County STAR Team, Hickory Police Special Operations Team, Catawba County Emergency Services, Catawba County Soil and Water, and Skeet’s Towing.
