SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — Two men were arrested and charged after a child sex sting operation in Sandersville, according to a release from the Sandersville Police Department.
The Criminal Investigation Division of the Sandersville Police Department partnered with a non-profit organization, Darkhorse Benefits, to arrest two men in a one-night operation.
70-year-old Michael Ernest Hatcher of Dexter and 40-year-old Frederick Johnson of Sandersville have both been charged with criminal attempt to commit child molestation and other charges are pending for both.
Cpt. Ken Parker with the Sandersville Police Department says that both Dexter and Johnson showed up at a local motel on Jan. 28 believing they were about to have sex with a 14-year-old.
When they showed up, they were arrested for their "overt" attempt to have sex with an underage child, Parker said.
The arrests were part of an operation to identify potential offenders.
"This type of operation requires time and resources and the responses we received were shocking and overwhelming," Parker said in the release. “Sex trafficking and human trafficking is a worldwide epidemic and we in law enforcement are at least 25 years behind the curve."
While the operation took place over one night, Parker said it was no easy lift.
“It was a one-night operation, however, the communication with potential offenders began several days in advance,” Parker said.
Parker thanked others who aided in the investigation, including other local partners who are conducting similar cases.
They also thanked non-profit Darkhorse Benefits, which offered surveillance equipment to the police department that they would not have had access to otherwise.
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