NOVA-DC Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrests 18 men from seven states

The Northern Virginia – Washington, DC Internet Crimes Against Children (NOVA-DC ICAC) Task Force announced the arrests and convictions of 18 individuals from Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia on more than 40 felony charges. The 18 convicted men received a total of 128 years of active incarceration by the court.

The charges stem from the proactive investigative efforts over the past eight months by a Virginia State Police special agent assigned to the NOVA-DC ICAC.  All of the arrestees are males ranging in age from 20 to 65. The cases were all prosecuted by the Office of the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney. Additional cases and arrests are pending at this time.

“Because of the proactive investigative efforts of ICAC, we have been able to bring these offenders to justice,” Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alycia M.P. Eldridge, Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg. “Each conviction and penitentiary sentence protects our community and our children from some of the worst offenders—those who perpetuate the horrific supply and demand cycle of child sexual abuse materials and those who attempt to meet children for sexual activity. I am grateful that we work with wonderful investigators to continue the mission of keeping children safe online and in the community.”

“This list of individuals needs to be a wakeup call to parents with children, preteens and teenagers,” said Virginia State Police F/Sgt. R.J. Brown, III, NOVA-DC ICAC Task Force supervisor. “The majority of the following individuals conducted their illegal solicitation of minors through social media apps and gaming platforms popular with children. Handing over a phone or iPad to your child without any digital safeguards or discussions about what is appropriate and safe usage is the same as handing over your child to any one of these predators.”

A valuable, kid and parent/teacher/adult-friendly resource to help with discussing and learning more about safe online usage of the Internet, social media and gaming platforms is available at www.netsmartzkids.org.

Arrestees and Charges:

• Jeremy L. Nugent, 43, of Petersburg, Va.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Alfred Friend, 65, of Swanton, Md.
  • 1 count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Michael T. Poole, 54, of Chesterfield, Va.
  • 9 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Ilker Alan, 48, of Loudoun, Va.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Jeffery A. Edwards Jr., 46, of Northampton, Penn.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Myles Russell Sr., 51, of Leesburg, Va.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Charles T. George, 52, of Glen Allen, Va.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Jared M. Lawrence, 29, of Derry, NH
  • 3 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Barry S. Woody, 60, of Martinsville, Va.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Cody W. Donelson, 26, of Kingsport, Tenn.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
  • 2 counts distribution of child sex abuse material
• Benjamin C. Estes, 36, of Henderson, Tenn.
  •  1 count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Kevin R. Pemberton, 39, of Decatur, Tenn.
  • 1 count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• George I. Piet, 35, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
  • 1 count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Dale W. Lore, 30, of Alloway, NJ
  • 2 counts of online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Zachary R. Magalis, 32, of Woodstock, Va.
  • 1 count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Jeffrey L. Levault, 33, of Woodbridge, Va.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Haydn M. Kamenicky, 20, of Fredericksburg, Va.
  • 1 count online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age
• Charles E. Carr Jr., 49, of Johnson City, Tenn.
  • 2 counts online solicitation of a minor under 15 years of age

The NOVA-DC ICAC Task Force was established in November 2004 through a grant from the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection. With Virginia State Police serving as the coordinating agency, the Task Force consists of 63 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. For more information about the Task Force, click on www.novadcicac.org.