A four-day undercover operation targeting illegal sex crimes in Northwest Georgia has netted two Chattooga County men among the 20 arrested.

“Operation Paladin” was a four-day proactive effort centered in Bartow County.  The operation took several months of planning.  The arrestees, ranging in age from 20 to 59, traveled from areas around Northwest Georgia with the intent to meet a child for sex.  One person that was arrested was a registered sex offender.  Multiple people were arrested that were in possession of suspected illegal drugs.  One person was arrested in possession of a firearm. Twenty-four (24) mobile phones were seized as evidence during the operation.

The following were arrested and charged in Bartow County as part of “Operation Paladin”:

  • Randall Ball, W/M, Acworth, GA, 25 years of age, grocery stocker
  • Bailey Brown, W/M, Jasper, GA, 29 years of age, emergency home repair responder
  • Richard Brown, W/M, Trion, GA, 53 years of age, mill worker
  • Steven Byers, W/M, Jasper, GA, 33 years of age, electrician
  • Bryan Cain, W/M, Calhoun, GA, 36 years of age, unemployed/college student
  • Jeffrey Coleman, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 52 years of age, glass technician
  • Michael Crider, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 51 years of age, CAD operator
  • Daniel Dorough, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 56 years of age, self-employed landscaper
  • Daniel Ewart, W/M, Cartersville. GA, 38 years of age, tow truck driver
  • Shawn Jeffrey, B/M, Powder Springs, GA, 26 years of age, pest control technician
  • Clarence Mann, W/M, Kingston, GA, 59 years of age, truck driver
  • Vernale Mascall, B/M, Cartersville, GA, 25 years of age, fast food worker
  • Rick Paul, B/M, Dallas, GA, 25 years of age, Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Isaac Sanchez, H/M, Summerville, GA, 20 years of age, painter
  • Charlie Smith III, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 45 years of age, patient care technician
  • Thomas Smith, B/M, Rome, GA, 43 years of age, delivery driver
  • Timothy Smith, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 57 years of age, customer service
  • Conner Thrash, W/M, Woodstock, GA, 28 years of age, truck driver
  • Michael Turner, W/M, Villa Rica, GA, 37 years of age, unemployed
  • Michael Wills, W/M, Cartersville, GA, 34 years of age, tree service employee

Read the full story on The Summerville News here.