Gainesville police arrest 14 in online sex sting

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville police have arrested 14 men in an online sex sting, resulting from an undercover investigation that lasted two months.

Police said the suspects thought that they were speaking to a 15-year-old girl over the Internet, but their contact was, in fact, a Gainesville police investigator. Most of the suspects reportedly drove to Gainesville to meet the girl "for the purpose of sexual conduct."

The suspects are identified as:
Thomas Anthony Lemoine, 20, Fort Stewart,GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Duncan S. Goss Jr., 59, Marietta, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Justin Perry Patterson, 22, Fairmont, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Randall Andrew Cagle, 22, Gainesville, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Thomas A. Haugh, 53, Winder, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Kevin Patrick Case, 28, Loganville, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Mark Andrew Vaccaro, 38, Norcross, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Derek Jay Wells, 37, Augusta, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Gellar James Bedoya, 20, Marietta, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Bradley Wayne Higgs, 44, Dacula, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

John Carlos Lopez-Marroquin, 22, Lawrenceville, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation, posession of marijuana with intent to distribute

Nicholas Jackson Hubert, 27, Crawfordville, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation, posession of methamphetamine

Neal Alan Cynkus, 25, Mariettta, GA Computer pornography and sexual exploitation

Joe Marvin Orton, 49, Grayson, GA Computer Pornography and sexual exploitation, Obstruction, Reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude.

Chief Frank Hooper said the investigation was initiated because of the increasing national attention that has been focused on this type of criminal activity. Chief Hooper said parents should take many measures to protect their children and families from criminals and must be equally vigilant to protect them from predators who use technology as a means to take advantage of them.

Hooper also said parents should discuss these issues with their children and must make themselves aware of how their children are using internet and cell phone technology.

He said the department will continue to conduct these types of investigations.