Operation “Merry Christmas” leads to human trafficking arrests in DeKalb County
(Top L-R): Reid Edgar Simmons, Pascual Mateo-Diego, Juvah Tertius Williams, Juan Miguel Castillo // (Bottom L-R): Jose Gonzales, Jonathan Holmes Golden, Austin Lee Battles, Casey Lynn McCormick
DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) — What authorities are calling operation “Merry Christmas” ended in eight arrested who were linked to a human trafficking sting.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) conducted an undercover operation Saturday, December 14, 2024.
At the end of the operation, eight suspects were taken into custody.
DCSO stated they don’t want to release specific details in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
However, the following details DCSO was able to share:
- Each subject charged was fully aware beforehand that they were meeting a child under the age of 16 with the expectation of sexual contact, performance, sodomy, or intercourse
- Some of the subjects came armed with knives and firearms
- The operation was conducted in a manner that contained and isolated any threat to the public.
- Seven vehicles, over $2,000 in cash, one firearm, and multiple other weapons were seized by investigators during the course of the operation.
The following suspects were arrested as a result of this operation:
- Jose Gonzalez
- Juan Miguel Castillo
- Jonathan Holmes Golden
- Juvah Tertius Williams
- Reid Edgar Simmons
- Pascual Mateo-Diego
- Austin Lee Battles
- Casey Lynn McCormick
“This should really open peoples’ eyes to what is lurking right here in our very own county. (Evil monsters) Child trafficking and child sex crimes have been on the rise across the entire county in the last few years. It’s a crime that’s hard to spot, hard to work and hard to convict on.”
“The best way to fight it and keep it away from our children and our community is to start hunting it down! This is exactly what our Investigation Unit did, and I am proud of their willingness to put in all their energy to better protect ALL our families and OUR FUTURE!”
“God Bless!”
-DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden
