3 area suspects arrested in TBI’s ‘Operation Autumn Shield’
From (L-R): Michael Houston Williford, Joshua James Long, Rory Cullen Frerichs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) has made 10 arrests in online child exploitation, three of those 10 were local.
From October to December, the TBI conducted an investigation titled ‘Operation Autumn Shield’ (OAS).
The TBI stated the purpose of this operation was to identify and locate children who were victims of sextortion and online exploitation.
As port of this operation, the TBI also want to identify and arrest individuals whose goal is to harm children online.
As a result, 19 child victims were identified and located as victims of online sexual exploitation and sextortion.
10 suspects were also arrested on various crimes against children via the internet.
Three of these suspects were located in New 12’s viewing area.
The following are the local suspect along with their charges:
- Michael Houston Williford: Sequatchie County, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, over 100 images
- Joshua James Long: Marion County, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, over 100 images
- Rory Cullen Frerichs: Polk County, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, over 100 images
