Crime Watch Daily Tapes Sting Operation Here

Cops and television. That’s what a couple of evenings last week consisted of for me. Yes, both at the same time, and no I wasn’t watching a crime drama.

Turns out Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) were working hand in hand last weekend to get some perpetrators off the street, and make entertaining television in the process.

And, Sheriff Donnie Pope recognized if national media was going to be involved, perhaps it would be only fitting to also invite the local media.

I learned a little. Especially about staying quiet and out of the way. Not always an easy feat when there’s more than a dozen people holed up in a small house in the country. And, what were we doing? Waiting, mostly.

As regular readers of the publication know, our sheriff’s department has been very good at catching would-be predators who come to our county to have sexual relations with an underage female. Well, this weekend, they caught three men who came here to visit with what they thought was a 14-year-old girl. And, the arrests were caught on camera, and two of the men were questioned extensively by Chris Hansen. The show will presumably air in a couple of months….sometime after the subjects have had the opportunity to be indicted.

Those arrested include:

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•Zachary Eugene Bradley, 29, of Macon, who is charged with purchase/possession/manufacture/distribute/ or sale of marijuana, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, drugs not in original container, driving while license suspended or revoked and open container violation.

•John Nicholas Acosta, 18, of Griffin, who is charged with violation of computer pornography and child Exploitation Prevention Act, obscene internet contact with a child and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

•Derrick Brett Deason, 39, of Centerville, Ala., who is charged with criminal attempt to commit a felony, obscene internet contact with a child and use of computer service to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child.

For me, it all started the middle of last week. The sheriff summoned me to his office and told me what was going on, and asked if I’d be interested in covering it. I definitely was. In the end, I didn’t spend enough time with them, but, I’m getting ahead of myself.

So Thursday afternoon, the sheriff and I are dropped off by a deputy at the house where the sting operation is going down. I knew in advance what it was, but was sworn to secrecy. Even my husband didn’t know what was going on.

The sheriff had told me I could stay as long or as little as I wanted. Well, by about 8 p.m. Thursday, I was ready to go home. At that time, there was no promise of a perp coming out, and even though I was told in advance it could go on a long time, I wasn’t really prepared. My phone went dead. I didn’t have my tablet.

Much of the time everyone is hush, hush. After all, the 14-year-old is home alone, and sometimes she talks on the phone to the perp.

So, a taxi (sheriff’s department vehicle, actually) picked me up and returned me to my truck which was at the JCSO. I went home, had dinner with my husband, and planned to return Friday.

Friday, the sheriff and I left about the same time…late afternoon, headed to our home in the country. (The young lady has to go to school, so there is no activity during the weekday.) I was prepared. I had my tablet, and believe me, I played a lot of solitaire. Sheriff Pope told me he was impressed by Mr. Hansen’s questioning of the perp they had caught Thursday night after I left. I was looking forward to seeing this man in action.

(By the way, I didn’t know who Chris Hansen was, but apparently others do. I wasn’t star-struck…I really don’t get that way And, since I wasn’t familiar with him, I definitely wasn’t. I did watch him on TV for a few minutes since that time. )

There were cameras everywhere. Obviously the camera men couldn’t be front and center when the arrest was being made, so go-pro cameras were installed in various locations. And there was law enforcement inside and outside. And, the sheriff’s deputy (bait) who is so adept at catching these predators was at the house with her computer and telephone. In front of her, she had an array of biographical facts about Callie, the young lady the men were talking to. She kept those handy so she could remember her favorite foods, movies, music, etc. And when they call, she chats. And, when they want to meet, she sets it up.

Friday I stayed until they caught the first perp, who happened to be an 18-year-old from Griffin. I know she is 14, and he is 18, and that is wrong, but it just didn’t seem as heinous as another man who was on the hook, planning to bring paddles and such. We referred to him as Alabama as he was coming from Alabama to meet this 14-year-old.

Unfortunately, when they went to arrest said 18-year-old, they slammed the door, and his hand was caught in it. Once he was subdued, an ambulance was called, and he went to the hospital, so Mr. Hansen did not have the opportunity to question him. My only way to see the actual scuffle and arrest was on a screen in the next room that about 10 other people were also looking at. It was interesting. Cameramen were filming from the screen. I’m anxious to see it on television to see how it looks.

Well, by this time it’s nearly 11 p.m., and I should have stayed. I knew Alabama was on the way, but for some reason, I was ready to go. I realized I would not be able to get a photo of any action, and wasn’t sure if I stayed for the questioning that I would make it home before daylight. But, hindsight says I should have stayed. Now, like each of y’all, I’ll have to wait and watch it on TV. And, I’m sure what airs will be edited. I could have seen the uncut version. But, alas, I did not.

So I got home shortly before midnight Friday, and pondered the situation.

I had asked the sheriff about it being entrapment when we first talked. He explained that the S.O. posts an ad online. Once someone responds, the detective says she is only 14. Some people fuss at her and stop talking to her immediately. Others like the thought that she is underage.

As I said, I wish I had stayed for Alabama’s questioning. I think he is a bad guy…he sure has some odd ideas about sex and youth.

I’m glad the JCSO is getting many of these perps off the street. Any man who pursues a 14-year-old has a problem, and needs to be arrested. I’m glad Sheriff Pope allowed me to be a part of it. I learned a good bit about how television works, and something about how the law works. But, I like my job more than I think I would like any of theirs.

And speaking of law enforcement, while may of the deputies were at the sting operation, others were working a shift fighting the other crime. There was a shooting Thursday evening in Monticello, which I learned about right away, but didn’t get details until much later.

Fredrico Deonte Epps, 22, of Monticello was arrested and charged with possession of firearm/knife during the commission of a felony and aggravated assault. He has since been denied bond. According to the warrant, Mr. Epps shot five times at another person, and hit him three times.

Others arrested in the last week, and their charges, include:

•Larandy Steven Gotel, 35, Monticello—probation violation (two counts) and child support.

•Caressa Lenore Jackson, 34, Monticello—child support.

•Hakeel Devont Norwood, 24, Monticello—probation violation and burglary.

•James Dean Kirby, 37, Newborn—parole violation.

•Laran Quina Mayo, 25, Buford—probation violation.

•Roland Brently Beatty, 38, Monticello—simple battery and possession of marijuana less than an ounce.

•Michael Derek Hopkins, 27, Monticello—burglary, Jasper County Superior Court bench warrant and probation violation.

•Desiree Williams, 32, Gannsvort, NY—possession of methamphetamine and drug related objects.

•Michael Joseph Bulson, 41, Monticello—possession of methamphetamine and drug related objects.

•Rebecca Mae Faulks, 24, Bryon—probation violation.

•Traquavious Cavez Jackson, 20, Monticello—possession of marijuana less than an ounce.

•Misty Autumn Vigreux, 42, Monticello—hold for warrants in Newton County.

•Amber Symone Brown, 28, Monticello—pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

•Tinsley Noelle Campbell, 17, Covington—sale, distribution or possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana less than an ounce, drugs not in original container and sale/distribution of a dangerous drug and license violation.

Deputies responded to one report of burglary in the last week, land that was at a residence on Turtle Cove Trailway where numerous items were taken, including mostly electronics.