17 men arrested in Lee County sting operation

17 men are now in custody after police say they attempted to arrange a sexual encounter with a child.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, with the help of Opelika Police, the Lee County District Attorney’s Office and Covenant Rescue Group, conducted an undercover sting operation earlier this week.

Officials say during the operation, undercover investigators chatted online with 249 individuals. Of those 249, 17 traveled to meet a female that they believed to be 15-years-old at a motel in Lee County.

July 18-19, investigators arrested 33-year-old Wesley Thomas, 23-year-old Quinton Henderson, 45-year-old Jacinto Perez, 39-year-old Stephen Jones, 27-year-old Deangelo Farrow and 44-year-old James Barrett.

On July 20, investigators also arrested 32-year-old Deontavian Woody, 29-year-old Sung Hoon Lee, 51-year-old Ronnie Johnson, 23-year-old Michael Johnson, 31-year-old Luis Contreras, 25-year-old Jordan Paradise, 41-year-old Daniel Kendrick, 27-year-old Alfonso Guzman, 32-year-old Mario Carter and 26-year-old Carl Bellamy.

All of the men were arrested on allegations of prostitution with a minor.

Additionally, 31-year-old Willie Harris was also arrested on charges of traveling to meet a minor, electronic solicitation of a minor, and felony promoting prostitution of a minor.

Each suspect has a bond of at least $110,000.00.