14 Arrested in Limestone County Online Child Exploitation Operation - WAFF

Fourteen people were arrested in Limestone County following a multi-day online child exploitation operation, WAFF reported.

The investigation, named Operation Fowl Play, targeted individuals accused of using the internet to contact and exploit children for sexual purposes, according to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities stated that some suspects were also found in possession of illegal drugs and firearms.

Each of the individuals taken into custody is charged with first-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor for illicit sexual acts, and electronic solicitation of a child. All suspects are currently being held without bond pending Aniah’s Law hearings.

Those taken into custody include Andrew Zipperer, 51, of Athens; Contavious Key, 39, of Courtland; Benjamin Compton, 42, of Trinity; Deron Walker, 46, of Decatur; Fransico Elorza, 24, of Huntsville; Genesis McWhorter, 35, of Athens; Don Smiley Jr., 24, of Athens; Gregory Christian, 26, of Madison; Sergio Aviles, 29, of Athens; Maurice Couch, 59, of Elkmont; Pierro Chery, 29, of Decatur; Rajdeep Singh, 31, of Madison; Raul Lorenzo, 24, of Birmingham; and Shawn Dudley, 27, of Decatur.

The sweep was carried out through a joint collaboration between the sheriff’s office Special Operations Team, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin noted that the operation formed part of the office’s Millstone Project, an initiative launched in February 2024 specifically to address crimes against children.

In the wake of the arrests, the sheriff’s office urged parents and guardians to stay actively involved in their children’s online activities and to report any suspicious behavior to authorities.

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