WHITE COUNTY, Ark. — The White County Sheriff’s Office arrested four men as part of an operation targeting adults attempting to meet children for sexual purposes, officials announced Tuesday.
Judge Mark Pate on Monday, Oct. 26, found probable cause to charge the following men with internet stalking of a child, a Class Y felony:
- Chris James Allen, 32, of Judsonia - Marcus Michaelis, 24, of Bald Knob - Tyler Cox, 27, of Vilonia - Ben Diana, 36, of Little Rock
Allen and Michaelis are being held on $75,000 cash or surety bonds, while Cox’s bond is set at $125,000. Diana, an Indonesian national, is being held on a $250,000 bond and is subject to an immigration detainer for overstaying his visa, according to the sheriff’s office.
The arrests stem from a coordinated operation conducted on Oct. 23, in which law enforcement targeted individuals planning to meet minors for sexual activity. Instead of encountering minors, the suspects were met by law enforcement officers and taken into custody, Sheriff Phillip Miller said in a news release.
One of the suspects, Tyler Cox, was arrested outside White County by other law enforcement agencies based on evidence provided by the sheriff’s office. Authorities added that a warrant has been issued for a fifth individual.
“This operation serves as an example of the proactive stance the White County Sheriff’s Office is taking in the fight to protect the children of our community,” Miller stated.
The sheriff’s office directed the operation under Miller and Chief Deputy Clayton Edwards, with support from federal and state agencies. Assisting organizations included the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations in Little Rock, the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and police departments from Searcy, Van Buren, and Jonesboro.
The case remains under investigation.