JACKSON COUNTY, Indiana — The Jackson County Sheriff's Department arrested eight people during a human trafficking sting. The suspects range in age from 19 to 60 years old.
The police operation, named "Operation March Sadness," ran from March 9-11 and took place in Seymour, Indiana.
On March 9, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and Covenant Rescue Group began communicating online with individuals using sex trafficking and prostitution websites. Officers posed as 15- to 19-year-old females using fake profiles.
Officers sent 7,000 messages during the three-day operation and led to eight arrests. Six of the men were attempting to have sex with a girl under the age of 16. Two of the suspects were suspected sex traffickers.
Arrested suspects:
Richard N. Holman Jr, 60, of Holton, IN
- Child solicitation - Level 4 felony
- Attempted sexual misconduct with a minor - Level 4 felony
Jaceson A. Gahl, 19, of Indianapolis, IN
- Child solicitation - Level 5 felony
- Attempted sexual misconduct with a minor - Level 5 felony
Christopher C. Wylie, 33, of Amelia, OH
- Child solicitation - Level 4 felony
- Attempted sexual misconduct with a minor - Level 4 felony
Thomas P. Roesser, 36, Flowery Branch, GA
- Dealing in methamphetamine - Level 5 felony
- Possession of methamphetamine - Level 6 felony
- Possession of a controlled substance - Class A misdemeanor
- Making and unlawful proposition - Class A misdemeanor
Quentin G. Newton, 37, Evansville, IN
- Making an unlawful proposition - Class A M=misdemeanor
Johnny R. Lynn, 54, Bedford, IN
- Child solicitation - Level 4 felony
- Attempted sexual misconduct with a minor - Level 4 felony
Steven C. Frey, 30, Owensboro, KY
- Child solicitation - Level 4 felony
- Attempted sexual misconduct with a minor - Level 4 felony
- Dealing in methamphetamine - Level 5 felony
Hector De Acruz, 39, Indianapolis, IN
- Child solicitation - Level 4 felony
- Attempted sexual misconduct with a minor - Level 4 felony