Eight people arrested in Prattville child sex sting operation

Prattville police say eight people have been arrested in a child sex sting operation.

Prattville police, with the help of federal investigators and Millbrook police, say they conducted the sting on March 28-30.

During the operation, undercover officers posed as children under the age of 16 and chatted with possible child sex predators via electronic devices. During the operation, police say multiple offenders agreed to meet with the children and exchange money for sexual acts.

The Prattville Police Department was able to arrest eight suspects who they say agreed to the act and travelled to a location to meet the children.

The suspects have been identified as: Austin Kinsley, Cenan Barrera, Juan Quintero-Caudillo, Isaiah Smith, Owen Strizic, Patrick Murry, Tavares Murphy and Walter Whiddon.

At the time of arrest, police say Strizic was a middle school music teacher in Wisconsin. The school he was employed with has been notified of the arrest, police say.

Police also say Berrera tried to escape after being handcuffed but was quickly stopped.

Police say more charges are pending against the suspects.

They say there are also additional suspects that may be charged once more evidence is collected. Prattville police say they try to keep these details quiet as to not warn the potential suspects that they are about to be captured.

The Prattville Police Department says it appreciates the relationship they share with most of the media outlets in the area who were understanding when details were not released.

It says details on this operation were shared by a news outlet in an uninvolved city so The Prattville Police Department is now releasing this information to all of our media partners.