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10 in Floyd County among dozens arrested in multi-state child sex sting

Investigators in Georgia "targeted those seeking out and distributing the most violent sexual abuse material involving infants and toddlers."

ROME, Ga. -- Authorities arrested 10 people in Floyd County as part of a multi-state child exploitation sting.

"Operation Southern Impact III" netted 82 arrests across eight southeastern states, according to a release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Seventeen children were recovered as part of the operation, the GBI said.

The operation focused on "those who possess and distribute child pornography and those who are sexually exploiting children in other ways using technology and the internet", the GBI news release said.

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In Georgia, there were 31 arrests. Most of those arrests involved the possession and/or distribution of child pornography. Seven of those arrested had traveled to meeting a minor to have sex, the GBI said. 

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Ten of those arrests happened in Floyd County, according to the Rome-News Tribune.

They were identified as (specific charges and mug shots courtesy of Rome News-Tribune)

Jimmy Abadio Lopez, 28, of Rome, was charged with exploitation of minors, child molestation (attempt) and obscene internet contact with a minor, enticing a child for indecent purposes and felony obstruction.

Johnathan Craig Manning, 28, of Rome, a railroad worker, was charged with obscene internet contact with a child, aggravated child molestation (attempt) and sexual exploitation of children.

Gerald Chamberlain, 34, of Rome, a golf course maintenance worker, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects and possession of child pornography.

Andrew Nelson, 42, of Marietta, a construction worker, was charged with obscene internet contact with a child, aggravated child molestation (attempt).

Desmond Hasley, 27, of Douglasville, a staffing company employee, was charged with obscene internet contact with a child, child molestation (attempt) and enticing a child for indecent purposes.

Keidron Isham, 23, of Calhoun, unemployed, was charged with obscene internet contact with a child and aggravated child molestation (attempt).

Keith Diver, 37, of Norcross, a restaurant employee, was charged with obscene internet contact with a child, child molestation (attempt), enticing a child for indecent purposes and use of computer services to seduce, solicit, lure or entice child to commit an illegal act.

Adam Ware, 20, of Resaca, was charged with use of computer services to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child to commit an illegal act, obscene internet contact with a minor, aggravated child molestation (attempt) and enticing a child for indecent purposes.

Matthew James McDurmond, 26, from a Cedartown address, was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Arlen Lemuel Riddle, 46, a fireman from Muscadine, Alabama, was charged with exploitation of children, obscene internet contact with child, aggravated child molestation (attempt), enticing a child for indecent purposes and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Click here for a list of all those arrested in Georgia

Other states that took part in the operation included Alabama, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.  

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