(MADISON) – The Madison Police Department’s Crime Suppression Team began an online investigation in August.
Police Chief John Wallace said many of the men traveled hours to meet who they thought were underage children.
The operation was a part of the Mobilized Madison Initiative announced by the city earlier in the year. Its purpose has been used to increase public safety and investigative resources among the community. The investigation exceeded more than 300 hours of investigative work
Suspects charged in this investigation ranged in age from 24 to 63, according to Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter. He said one suspect traveled over 300 miles to meet up with who they believed was a 14-year-old girl.
“I ask all parents to please monitor their child’s activity on social media sites,” Chief Wallace said.
The police department’s investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Each one of the men have been charged with at least one count of child solicitation, with varying other charges.
John Barlett, 30, of Bloomington, Indiana: Charged with child solicitation and sexual misconduct with a minor. (Madison Police Department)
Ryan Perdue, 37, of Scottsburg, Indiana: Charged with sexual misconduct with a minor and child solicitation. (Madison Police Department)
Christopher Warren, 44, of Milton, Kentucky: Charged with child solicitation, possession of methamphetamine and sexual misconduct with a minor. (Madison Police Department)
Bryton Wise, 26, of Lexington, Indiana: Charged with possession of marijuana, hash oil or hashish, child solicitation and sexual misconduct with a minor. (Madison Police Department)
Jonathan Smith, 35, of Clarksville, Indiana: Charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, child solicitation, false informing, battery on a law enforcement officer, dissemination of matter harmful to minors and resisting law enforcement. (Madison Police Department)
Michael Spradling, 30, of North Vernon, Indiana: Charged with child solicitation and attempted sexual misconduct with a minor. (Madison Police Department)
Travis Case, 27, of Madison, Indiana: Charged with sexual misconduct with a minor and child solicitation. (Madison Police Department)
Dillon Stewart, 24, of Madison, Indiana: Charged with providing obscene material/pornography to minors and child solicitation. (Madison Police Department)
Matthew Sowers, 47, of North Vernon, Indiana: Charged with sexual misconduct with a minor and child solicitation. (Madison Police Department)
Adam Gaskins, 41, of Aurora, Indiana: Charged with possession of methamphetamine, sexual misconduct with a minor, possession of anabolic steroids and child solicitation. (Madison Police Department)
Ray Bell, 57, of Madison, Indiana: Charged with possession of child pornography. (Madison Police Department)
Dennis Mothersbaugh, 40, of North Vernon, Indiana: Charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, child solicitation and resisting law enforcement. (Madison Police Department)
George Grosse, 63, of Hamilton, Michigan: Charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, possession of methamphetamine and child solicitation. (Madison Police Department)
