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As part of a one-day operation, 21 people were arrested on soliciting prostitution charges. They are pictured in alphabetical order.
Times-News
Photos provided by the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, Times-News
In a one-day operation on Tuesday, the sheriff's office arrested 21 people in Alamance County on soliciting prostitution and drug-related charges.
Called Operation Summer Heat, the exercise was a result of weeks of planning, said Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson on Friday.
Of the 21 people arrested, all were charged with misdemeanor soliciting prostitution, and three were also given felony drug charges.
Those arrested in Alamance County come from all over the state, and the fact that the sheriff's office could arrest so many people in one day shows how prevalent human trafficking is, Johnson said.
"All I can say is wake up, America," Johnson said. "This is your country. These are your kids, daughters, that are getting involved in this. We need to open our eyes."
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The sheriff's office has been awarded a $375,000 federal grant, which will allow them to hire three people to investigate human trafficking and internet crimes against children. Previously, these tasks were handled by members of the Special Victims Unit and Criminal Investigations Division.
The grant will last for three years, and the sheriff's office plans to have the positions in place by Oct. 1.
The following people were arrested as part of Operation Summer Heat:
David Louis Abels, 60, of Chapel Hill, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Curran Michael Blackwell, 29, of Wake Forest, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Cameron G. Burleson, 55, of Mebane, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Gordon Keith Burton, 57, of Pittsboro, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Brijeshkumar Parbhubhai Chauhan, 38, of Clinton, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Ronnie Faucette, 42, of Henderson, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Stephen Francis Forget, 54, of Morrisville, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Tyson Lamar Garner, 32, of Burlington, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Bond: $500.00 secured
Lewis Hendricks, 73, of Chapel Hill, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Eli Boyd Howle Jr., 49, of Browns Summit, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Brandon William Johnson, 26, of Greensboro, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Brandon Eric Life, 27, of Raleigh, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Landon Keith McDaniel, 38, of New London, N.C.
Charges: misdemeanor solicit prostitution, felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
Bond: $5,000 unsecured
Mark Christopher Murchison Sr, 49, of Siler City, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Tyree Austin Pettiford, 22, Roxboro, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Bond: $500.00 secured
Bernis Clester Spain II, 41, of Raleigh, N.C.
Charges: misdemeanor solicit prostitution and felony possession with intent to sell/deliver a schedule I controlled substance (heroin)
Bond: $5,000
McKinley Thorpe Jr, 40, of Roxboro, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Jason Vaneyk, 45, of Asheboro, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
Earl Wallace, 41, of Burlington, N.C.
Charges: misdemeanor solicit prostitution and felony possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana
Bond: $5,000 unsecured
Edward Lee Williamson, 53, of Rougemont, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Bond: $500 unsecured
Dwight Leon Young, 43, of Graham, N.C.
Charge: misdemeanor solicit prostitution
Released on a written promise to appear in court
The investigation is ongoing, and officials noted there is a possibility for more charges.
