The Albertville Police Department, in conjunction with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arrested five men in an undercover child exploitation sting, each being held on a bond of $1 million.
Local law enforcement officials confirmed to Yellowhammer News that at least two of those arrested are in the United States illegally.
Roger Brian Ayers, 54, of Guntersville and Juan Eduardo Paredes Rios, 26, of Attalla, are both charged with two counts of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and two counts of electronic solicitation of a child.
Gerardo Orellana, 44, charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and one count of electronic solicitation of a child, is out of status and no longer in the country lawfully. Mario Antonio Rocha Placensia, 40, charged with the same crimes, is in the application process, therefore also in the country illegally, according to Albertville Police.
The other arrest made, whose status is currently unknown, was Ricardo Isaias Carrillo Becerra, 36, of Fort Payne.
Albertville police described the operation as “the result of months of preparation and planning,” adding, “Marshall County authorities will continue to pursue those who seek to prey upon children.”
An Alabama-based group that combats human trafficking, Covenant Rescue Group, was also involved in the sting.
“Just a reminder for everyone today…it’s NOT OK to prey on children. We exist to help bring justice to those that do,” the group wrote on Facebook.
This story is breaking and will be updated with additional information.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
