Medina County Sheriff’s Dept. makes several arrests for online solicitation

The Medina County Sheriff’s Department arrested eight people during a two-day operation in Medina County, including a man accused of trying to meet an underage girl for sex.  According to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, seven people were arrested on accusations of solicitation of prostitution, while 31-year-old Michael Wayne Carr was arrested on a charge of online solicitation of a minor under 14.

The operation, called “Operation Rolling Thunder,” which was held Sept. 23 and 24 and involved local, state and federal agencies.  The sheriff’s department said nine additional online solicitation of a minor cases are still pending.  Investigators also identified 109 people through online conversations who did not meet the requirements for a prostitution solicitation charge, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to a release, Carr had allegedly communicated online with someone he believed to be an underage girl before showing up for what he thought would be a sexual encounters.  He remains in custody on a $25,000 bond.

Those arrested on solicitation accusations were identified as Ethan Lopez, 25; Brandon Tyler Lathan, 30; Anthony Clay Willis, 52; Edwin Torris, 22; Barwa Asi Hakem, 27; Kenneth David Duvall, 64; and Damian Renard Abbott, 53.  Willis and Duvall also faced accusations of unlawfully carrying a weapon.  The sheriff’s office listed four separate weapon charges for Duvall.  All seven people arrested on prostitution solicitation accusations had posted bond and been released by Sept. 25.

The sheriff’s office said four potential victims were identified during the operation, with the identity of one still pending.