FLINT, MI – An additional 11 suspects have been charged and arraigned in the latest operation by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office human trafficking team.
The charges bring the total number of suspects to more than 40 arrested by the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team, or GHOST, since the group was formed about four months ago.
Among those charged with child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime, and accosting children for immoral purposes are Thomas Ternan, 54; Donald Humpert, 56; John Thomas, 36; Larry Starnes, 49; Allan Tharp, 25; Julian Brignon-Rodriguez, 28; John Mandock, 53; Robert Bailey, 30; Keenon Waters, 25; and Ahmed Abioye, 20.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell announced the charges Monday, Oct. 14 at his office in downtown Flint while seated behind a table covered with items including a knife, 9mm handgun, drugs, and alcohol allegedly found when the suspects arrived at a local motel where they thought they were meeting with underage girls they’d met online.
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“My task force was created on a ‘build it and they will come’ philosophy,” said Pickell. “For those targeting our innocent children, however, this is no field of dreams. Instead, it is a nightmare for them.”
Pickell said one of the suspects came to provide a teen girl with alcohol as payment for sex, while another dropped off his 13-year-old daughter at a volleyball practice prior to heading off to have sex with who he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
“It’s just shocking to me that they would even do this,” said Pickell, adding “We’re going to build on this. You’re going to see, I think as we get into this and we expand, where we’re going that there will be a considerable number of others (arrested).”
“It’s a way of life with some of these people,” said Pickell. “It’s hard for normal people to accept, but this goes on every day in our community.”
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Investigators search the suspect’s phones and electronic devices for child pornography as part of the investigation.
While some attorneys have argued the cases are based on entrapping suspects, Pickell said: “The fact remains this is a serious problem in our community.”
He shared some concerns about smart phone apps used by children, with the sheriff’s office “searching all the time” for new ones being used by children and adults.
Pickell asked parents to be alert and keep track of who their children are speaking with over the internet, noting the team would work with parents and families looking for some assistance.
“I’ve had calls from parents. I’ve had calls asking what to look for,” said Pickell. “I tell them the very same thing, ‘Be all over that computer.’”
