US attorney, FBI gather in Tulsa to announce charges in child exploitation sting
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies gathered Wednesday afternoon in Tulsa to announced charges from an FBI-led operation to stop the sexual exploitation of children.
Nine suspects face federal charges of coercion and enticement of a child following an undercover sting.
Authorities said the suspects used social media to target their victims.
Ten other suspects were apprehended and will be prosecuted through Tulsa County for allegedly enticing children through electronic and social media.
Four victims have been recovered during the investigation, authorities said.
This is the fourth operation with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies to help protect children in Oklahoma from sexual abuse.
The Department of Justice announced that Operation Independence Day led to the recovery or identification of 103 child victims and the arrest of 67 sex traffickers nationally.
The local men facing federal charges in this operation are:
- Christopher Cervantes, 48, of Skiatook: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor
- Thomas Dustin Daughtry, 42, of Sperry: sexual exploitation of a child, possession of child pornography, and coercion and enticement
- Carnell Lovette Matthews, 43, of Tulsa: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor
- Casey Adam Parker, 39, of Afton: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor
- Jason Ray Smith, 40, of Sapulpa: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor
- Carl Thomas Spaeth, 35, of Broken Arrow: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor
- Lucas Shane Vann, 18, of Salina: sexual exploitation of a child
- Corey Daniel Vessar, 30, of Skiatook: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor
- Thomas Kyle Williams, 40, of Sand Springs: attempted coercion and enticement of a minor; receipt of child pornography; possession of child pornography
