12 arrested for crimes against children in year-long undercover chat operation, officials say

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A year-long undercover chat operation on social media yielded roughly a dozen arrests for crimes against children.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) conducted “Operation Cast Net” in July of last year, which saw the arrest of 12 men for various crimes involving juveniles, the sheriff’s office announced Wednesday afternoon.

Three additional cases were referred to other agencies for follow-up in their jurisdiction.

Charges among those arrested range from traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity to criminal solicitation of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor among others.

“I am extremely proud of the role the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office played in this operation, as well as our surrounding agencies,” said Sheriff Graziano. “This joint effort made Charleston County families and children safer, and we look forward to the day when parents worry less about their kids online. Because of the hard work these officers and deputies did through this operation, we are one step closer to that goal.”

Nearly a dozen state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies assisted with the investigation including Charleston PD, Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Moncks Corner PD, Mount Pleasant PD, Office of the Inspector General, SC Dept. of Corrections, and the U.S. Secret Service to name a few.

A list of individuals arrested and their respective charges are listed below as provided by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office:

Charles Dorta-Bruno – Arrested 7/26/2023

• Traveled to meet a minor for sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree
• Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree
• Attempted Disseminate Obscene Material to a Minor
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

Juan Marcos Cotto – Arrested 7/26/2023

• Traveled to meet minor for a sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

Jason B. Smith – 7/26/2023

• Traveled to meet a minor for sexual Activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

Mark D. Desrochers – Arrested 7/27/2023

• Traveled to meet minor for a sexual activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

Ricardo Hernandez – Arrested 7/28/2023

• Traveled to meet a minor for sexual Activity during Operation Cast Net
• Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree (two counts)
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (two counts)

Robert William Nazzaro – Arrested 8/9/2023

• Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree (two counts)
• Attempted Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor under the age of 18 (six
  counts)
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (seven counts)
• Previously arrested during a SC ICAC chat operation and later convicted on April 5, 2023
• Registered sex offender at the time of arrest and on probation.

Johnathan M. Bryant – Arrested 9/12/2023

• CCSO
  o Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree (two counts)
  o Attempted Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor under the age of 18
  (three counts)
  o Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (ten counts)
• MPPD
  o Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree
  o Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (two counts)
  o Attempted Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor under the age of 18

Gary Hampton – Arrested 10/16/2023

• Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree
• Attempted Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor under the age of 18 (two
  counts)
• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
• Registered sex offender at the time of arrest.
• The defendant was apprehended in his home in Kentucky during an ICAC search
  warrant where he was charged.
  o Possessing material portraying a minor under 12 in a sexual performance, (five
  counts)
  o Possessing material portraying a minor over 12 in a sexual performance, (15
  counts

Antwuan M. Williams – Arrested 12/1/2023

• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (two counts)

Dywan A. Evans – Arrested 1/23/2024

• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
• Attempted Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor

Devontae Grundy – Arrested 3/7/2024

• Criminal Solicitation of a Minor

Bryan C. Smith – Arrested 3/19/2024

• Attempted Participation in the Prostitution of a Minor (two counts)
• Sex Offender Registry Violation, 1st Offense (two counts)
• The defendant was previously convicted and is currently a registered sex offender.