CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — Two men thought they were setting up a meeting with 12-year-olds over the Internet. It turned out to be a trap by authorities.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, 26-year-old Mark Andrade of Dalton and 38-year-old Brent Parton of Canton were both arrested after a four-week undercover investigation by detectives.
Authorities said Andrade thought he was talking to a 12-year-old when he agreed to pay for a taxi if she promised to come to Dalton. Investigators secured a warrant for his arrest - arriving to serve the papers in a vehicle disguised as a taxi. As soon as Andrade walked up to the vehicle, authorities took him into custody.
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Parton, too, thought he was talking with a 12-year-old girl over the Internet when, in reality, he was also talking to undercover agents. Authorities secured a warrant for his arrest, and took him into custody during a traffic stop Feb. 26 off Knox Bridge Highway in Canton.
Authorities charged Andrade with electronically furnishing obscene material to a minor and sexual exploitation of a child. He also was charged with violation of the Computer Pornography and Child Exploitation Act.
Meanwhile, Parton was charged with two counts of obscene internet contact with children and sexual exploitation of children. Parton remains in custody in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond.
