Warren County Sheriff’s Office Helps Lead National Crackdown on Online Child Exploitation

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office played a key role in Operation Safe Online Summer (SOS), a nationwide initiative to stop the online exploitation of children. Led by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces and coordinated locally by the Northern Virginia/DC Metro (NOVA/DC) ICAC Task Force with support from the Virginia State Police, the operation involved law enforcement agencies across the country.

Over the course of April and May, Warren County’s Criminal Investigations Division conducted a series of undercover operations targeting individuals who attempted to solicit or exploit minors online. Their efforts led to eight arrests and 30 felony charges, including attempts to meet with minors for illicit purposes.

Sheriff Crystal Cline emphasized the importance of the operation and her office’s continued vigilance: “The message is simple: if you are using the internet to harm children, we are watching, we are working, and we are coming for you,” she said. “Our investigators’ proactive efforts reflect just how seriously we take these crimes and our dedication to working with our law enforcement partners to identify, apprehend, and prosecute predators wherever they hide.”

The arrests included individuals from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, showing the far-reaching impact of these crimes and the regional cooperation needed to combat them. Charges brought against the suspects primarily stem from Virginia Code §18.2-374.3, which criminalizes the use of communication systems to facilitate child exploitation.

Individuals Arrested During Operation SOS:

Enrico M. Myers (Front Royal, VA): 2 counts of online solicitation; 1 count of indecent liberties. Photos provided by RSW Regional Jail and Washington County Detention Center.

Jesse L. Hall (Stafford, VA): 4 counts of online solicitation.

Thomas Shultz (Martinsburg, WV): 5 counts of online solicitation.

Stephanie Whetzel (Front Royal, VA): 2 counts of online solicitation.

John A. Brown (Roanoke, VA): 5 counts of online solicitation.

Royce S. Grim (Strasburg, VA): 2 counts of online solicitation.

John R. Thomas (Hagerstown, MD): 5 counts of online solicitation.

Galen Mowery (Pittsfield, PA): 5 counts of online solicitation.

Sheriff Cline credited the operation’s success to the collaborative strength of the ICAC network, which includes local, state, and federal agencies. The Sheriff’s Office continues to work closely with regional partners to pursue individuals attempting to exploit minors using online platforms.

“We’re grateful to our partners in law enforcement and to every investigator who puts in the hours to protect our children. This kind of teamwork is what keeps our community safe,” Cline added.

Anyone with information about similar incidents or concerns related to online child exploitation is urged to contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (540) 635-7100.

For more about the Warren County Sheriff’s Office or to submit a tip, visit www.warrencountysheriff.org.

(from Press Release)