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Score one each for the good guys and the children …

Harris County sting nets 20 child predator suspects

Investigation will be featured on September episode of NBC’s ‘Dateline’

Pedophile
n. An adult who is sexually attracted to a child or children.

A monthlong investigation targeting child predators in Harris County [Georgia] has led to the arrest of 20 men accused of pursuing minors over the Internet.

The arrests, which occurred between July 21 and Thursday, were the result of “Operation Predator” — a sting involving several law enforcement agencies and Chris Hansen of the NBC “Dateline” show “To Catch a Predator.” The suspects face charges of criminal attempt to commit child molestation, obscene Internet contact and enticing a child for indecent purposes. Seven face an additional charge of furnishing obscene material to a minor. Two have drug charges.

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The suspects range in age from 20 to 43 years old and come from cities including Tifton, Marietta, Alpharetta and Atlanta. They are or were employed at businesses including a 24/7 restaurant, a pizzeria, a software company, a costume store and as a truck driver.

Two are soldiers — Marshall Ray Girtman, 27, a National Guardsman stationed at Fort Benning, and Rolando Restocruz, 33, who is with the Army at Fort Stewart, authorities said.

“They are people who look and act just like us,” Jolley said. “A lot of these people that came down are married. We got a teacher that got wrapped up in this.”

The idea for the sting came up after members of Jolley’s staff saw the “Dateline” show. He talked with his staff about the possibility of bringing the show to Harris County. By July 4, employees of http://www.perverted-justice.com/ were sitting in online chatrooms and waiting to see who made contact.

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