CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A two-week effort by North Carolina law enforcement to catch individuals that victimize children online ended Tuesday with the arrests of 10 people, according to a news release from the FBI Charlotte Division.
James Ford didn't have much to say as he walked out of the Cabarrus County courthouse Thursday morning.
He made his first appearance on charges of distributing or receiving materials of children engaging in sexual activity.
[ PHOTOS: FBI, NC law enforcement arrest 10 in online predator operation ]
Investigators arrested Ford on Tuesday.
Channel 9 asked Ford if it was embarrassing for him.
"No, it's not. It's embarrassing for my family. I'm not going to comment," he said.
Ford was accompanied by his father, who grabbed a Channel 9 microphone after Eyewitness News confronted his son.
Investigators also arrested two men in Cabarrus County the same day as Ford.
Michael Dennis Jr. faces six charges of distributing and receiving materials of children engaging in sexual activity. Channel 9 obtained court documents indicating the crimes span from August 2013 to November 2014.
Lindon Claridge faces more serious charges from July of last year, including indecent liberties with a minor. Investigators said he contacted his 12-year-old victim on Facebook.
When Channel 9 looked into his criminal history, Eyewitness News found he was arrested in October for contacting a 12-year-old girl on Facebook.
Dennis and Claridge are set to appear in court Feb. 25.
The following individuals are facing numerous state related charges and could face federal charges in the near future.
- Troy Lee Beckwith, 54, arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina on Jan. 20.
- Pedro Jaime Ensenat-Irizarry, 60, arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina on Jan. 20.
- Eugene Delmar McKoy, 47, arrested in Clayton, North Carolina on Jan. 28.
- Roberto Fontanella Caballero, 26, arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina on Jan. 29.
- Alex Zuniga-Mendez, 24, arrested in Morrisville, North Carolina on Jan. 31.
- Alan Dale Hensley, 46, arrested in Gastonia, North Carolina on Jan. 29.
- Richard Ryan Speelman, 27, arrested in Jacksonville, North Carolina on Feb. 2.
- Lindon Kristofer Claridge, 22, arrested in Concord, North Carolina on Feb. 3.
- Michael Wayne Dennis, 28, arrested in Concord, North Carolina on Feb. 3.
- James Graber Ford, 25, arrested in Concord, North Carolina on Feb. 4.
These arrests were the result of a joint effort between many law enforcement agencies which make up the FBI's Violent Crimes Against Children program.
The following departments assisted in the arrests and any related searches: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Apex Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, Durham Police Department, Johnston County Sheriff's Office, Gastonia Police Department, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Wilmington Police Department, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.