The investigation into the case was launched in September when a Chickamauga police officer received a complaint about children being sexually abused.

The police department discovered numerous complaints in Georgia and Tennessee of alleged sexual abuse involving the children.

The indictments were handed down Jan. 6. According to the indictments:

David Hardin, 54, of East Seventh Street in Chattanooga, was indicted on 24 counts, including three counts of rape, one count of statutory rape, one count of incest, one count of aggravated sexual battery, 17 counts of child molestation, and one count of attempt to commit a felony.

Hardin’s charges stem from crimes that occurred between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1. He is accused of forceful acts against children, paying money to watch others have forced intercourse with children, using sexual foreign objects against the will of a child and inappropriate touching of children.

Reco Marcel Smith, 26, of Hiawatha Circle in Chickamauga, was indicted on four counts of child molestation.

The crimes occurred between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1. He is accused of forcing a child to perform sexual acts on him, touching a child inappropriately, and forcing a child to touch him in an inappropriate manner.

Preston James Dennel, 19, of Lee Avenue in Chickamauga, was indicted on one count of rape, one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of aggravated sexual battery, one count of statutory rape, and three counts of child molestation.

The offenses occurred between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1. Dennel is accused of inappropriately touching a child, forcing sodomy on a child, and forcing sexual foreign objects on a child.

Shawn Daniel Meintz, 30, of East 48th Street in Chattanooga, has been indicted on one count of rape, one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of statutory rape, and four counts of child molestation.

The offenses occurred between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1. He is accused of raping a child, sodomy, forcing a child to touch him inappropriately, and forcing a child to perform sexual acts on him.

Kevin Lee Hicks, 21, of Lee Avenue in Chickamauga is charged with one count of statutory rape and four counts of child molestation.

The offenses occurred between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1. He is accused of raping a child, forcing a child to touch him inappropriately and touching a child inappropriately.

Walker County Messenger