5 Georgia men indicted on federal charges in child sex trafficking sting

Internet task force targeted adults seeking contact with children

Nine men snared in a child sex trafficking sting have been indicted on federal charges.

Operation Do You Know Your Neighbor, coordinated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in late March, targeted adults who were seeking children for indecent purposes, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

“It’s always troubling that there are adults who seek to prey on underage children for their own gratification,” Christine said. “Anyone with such disturbing proclivities should be reminded that our law enforcement agencies are diligent in their efforts to find them and prevent the exploitation of innocent children.”

Those indicted on federal charges in the sting include:

Daven Jones, 29, of Jacksonville, is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement; Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity; and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor;

John Torrance, 35, of Naples, Fla., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement; Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity; and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor;

Joshua Weaver, 34, of St. Marys, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement, and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Matter to a Minor;

Dylan Wescott, 27, of Orange Park, Fla., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement, and Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity;

Charles Barreras, 48, of Kingsland, Ga., charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement;

Matthew Coffey, 37, of Brunswick, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement;

Alvaro Hernandez, 35, of Bristol, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement;

Marquise Little, 22, of Kingsland, Ga., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement; and,

Trevor Rountree, 28, of Orange Park, Fla., is charged with Attempted Coercion and Enticement.

Charges in the indictments carry possible penalties of 10 years to life in prison.

“The success of this operation comes from the strong partnership NCIS shares with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office,” said NCIS Southeast Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matt Lascell. “We are dedicated to combating child sexual crimes that endanger Department of the Navy families and the citizens of Georgia.”

Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor said, “The investigation conducted by federal, state and local agencies is an example of how a cooperative effort by law enforcement protects the youth from those who attempt to prey upon the children of our communities.“

Indictments contain only charges. All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The sting was set up by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for the purpose of identifying adults who were seeking out children for indecent purposes. Other agencies participating in the investigation included the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, the Kingsland Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Savannah Police Department.

The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcela Mateo and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn Semales.