SEARCY, Ark. — Authorities in White County have arrested four men on felony charges following an operation focused on adults accused of attempting to meet minors for sexual activity, the White County Sheriff’s Office announced.
The operation, conducted on Friday, Oct. 23, led to the arrests of Charles Allen, 58, of Judsonia; Gordon Michaelis, 40, of Beebe; and Dodi Diana, 49, of Maryland, all within White County. Hunter Cox, 23, of Benton, was arrested outside the county by other agencies in cooperation with the sheriff’s office using evidence gathered during the investigation, officials said.
Each of the four men faces charges of internet stalking of a child, a Class Y felony under Arkansas law. An additional arrest warrant has been issued for a fifth individual, but their identity was not disclosed in the sheriff’s office statement.
According to the release, the suspects believed they were meeting minors but instead encountered law enforcement during the operation.
Bonds for the defendants were set on Monday, Oct. 26, by Judge Mark Pate, the sheriff's office reported: - Charles Allen: $60,000 - Gordon Michaelis: $60,000 - Hunter Cox: $30,000 - Dodi Diana: $50,000 The statement also noted that Diana, an Indonesian national, is subject to an immigration detainer for allegedly overstaying his visa.
Sheriff Phillip Miller and Chief Deputy Clayton Edwards directed the operation, which included support from several agencies, including the FBI’s Little Rock office, Homeland Security Investigations in Little Rock, the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Searcy, Van Buren, and Jonesboro police departments.
Officials emphasized that all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.