by Seven people were arrested at the conclusion of a two-day undercover sting in Hall County on charges ranging from drug possession and prostitution to online child exploitation.
Operation Lights Out was started by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Floyd County Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. After months of planning, investigators moved in on August 15 and 16 at a location in western Hall County to conduct the sting.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the operation’s objective was to target predators and other individuals who use the internet to set up illicit sexual relationships.
Seven taken into custody
Jorge Francisco Arevalo, 59, of Flowery Branch was one of those arrested. According to authorities, he used his computer to entice a person he believed to be a juvenile into having sex with him. He is currently facing felony accusations related to grooming a youngster for indecent intentions and technological exploitation of a minor.
Cleveland resident Juan Domingo Lesther Aguirre, 29, was also taken into custody on felony charges. According to deputies, he requested naked pictures from a person he thought was younger than 18.
Andrew Stakoun, 56, of Atlanta, and James Cole Johnson, 29, of Flowery Branch, are accused with misdemeanor pandering.
Two ladies were also accused of prostitution by investigators. Winder resident Desameria Lysandra Lattimore, 27, is accused of offering sex to an undercover police officer in exchange for $250. Chatsworth resident 45-year-old Candie Petty allegedly offered to sell marijuana in addition to asking $450. Petty is now facing additional felony charges of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute after deputies claim that he was carrying drugs.
Deputies discovered two oxycodone pills in the possession of a seventh suspect, Qwantavious Dashay Tolbert, 29, of Winder, who was taken into custody. He is now facing a felony drug allegation after investigators claim he drove Lattimore to the sting site.
Current status
The Hall County Jail received bookings for all seven accused. Petty, Arevalo, and Aguirre are still being held without bond. Tolbert is still in jail despite being released on a $8,100 bond. After posting a $1,300 bond apiece, Johnson, Stakoun, and Lattimore were freed.
