Conyers cracks down on pandering, 10 arrested in latest sting operation

CONYERS, Ga. – Ten men were arrested by Conyers police following a pandering sting operation Thursday night.

Police said this is the 16th operation conducted since 2013.

The goal of such operations, police said, is to “deter the violent criminal acts that take place which are facilitated by an internet underworld.” Police said various online advertising sites and mobile apps are available to solicit prostitution, despite warnings prohibiting it.

Police were first brought to light to the criminal activity in the summer of 2013 after two violent incidents occurred.

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One panderer was robbed by two men after setting up a meeting with a prostitute using a popular site, police said. A month later, four men were arrested after kidnapping, raping, and robbing two women who had posted an ad for prostitution online.

On Thursday night, 10 men were charged with pandering and one man faces additional charges of marijuana and obstruction of a law enforcement officer when he attempted to run away from authorities.

Here are the names of those arrested:

1. Bryan Armour, 53, Monroe, Georgia
2. Kelwoski Gibbons, 36, Conyers, Georgia
3. Marquis Mathis, 29, Eatonton, Georgia
4. Kevin M. Moore, 46, Shady Dale, Georgia
5. Steven A. Nelson, 29, Monroe, Georgia
6. Joaquin Salazar, 30, Atlanta, Georgia
7. Vaughn Stanley, 40, Stockbridge, Georgia
8. Francisco Tovar-Villa, 42, Conyers, Georgia
9. Charles S. Ward Jr., 55, Lilburn, Georgia
10. Dwayne C. Rogers, 29, Covington, Georgia
    1. Pandering
    2. Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer
    3. Possession of Marijuana (less than one oz.)

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