YORK COUNTY, S.C. — The York County Sheriff's Office says ten suspects have been charged after a multi-agency operation targeting online child predators.

• Multi-agency operation targets online child predators.
• Ten suspects have been arrested. Six of them are from North Carolina.
• Additional suspects are still being identified and located.

"Operation Vigilant Shepherd" was conducted at several undisclosed locations throughout the area between November 4 and 8. In addition to the YCSO, which is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, 12 other state and federal agencies from across the Carolinas participated in the online child exploitation investigation.

“Taking these type of people off the streets is one of the greatest things law enforcement can do for our community. We want our communities safe, we want our internet safe,” says York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson.

Officials say the suspects target children online, but many have also been "hands-on" offenders. In fact, according to the YCSO, five of the ten suspects arrested during the investigation either came to or tried to come to the residence of operation.

“The specialized investigators who work these types of crimes care about children and they care about our community," said Sheriff Tolson. “If these suspects had not been identified and arrested talking to an officer, they would likely have been talking to a live child victim.”

The following suspects have already been charged: 

Aaron John Snyder, 34, of Lake Wylie, SC

Occupation: Unemployed 

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / dissemination obscene material to a minor

Albert Luis Cortes, 29, of Lincolnton, NC

Occupation Suit salesman in Huntersville, NC

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / Attempted CSC with minor 2nd degree

Jonathan Tyler Hartsell, 32, of Charlotte, NC

Occupation Construction

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / Attempted CSC with minor 2nd degree

Quentin Arron Evans, 22, of Indian Trail, NC

Occupation: Security Services

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / Attempted CSC with minor 2nd degree

Xanthus Nakia Murdaugh, 44, of Rock Hill, SC

Occupation: Retail Sales

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / Attempted CSC with minor 2nd degree

ADDITIONAL: Registered sex offender with a conviction in ~1997 child pornography related-charges.

Ballam Justin Alexander, 35, of Charlotte, NC

Occupation: Transportation / trucking professional

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / Attempted dissemination of porn to person <18 

Alexander Michael Bowersock, 23, of Wapakoneta, OH

Occupation: Corporal US Marine Corps

CHARGE(S): Criminal solicitation of a minor / Attempted dissemination of porn to person <18 / SEM 1st degree ** Awaiting extradition from Quantico, VA.

Jerry Allen George, 29, of Boiling Springs, SC

Occupation: Electrician

CHARGE(S): Attempted Promoting Prostitution of a Minor

Steven Bradley Loflin, Sr., 51, of Greensboro, NC

Occupation Retired / disabled

CHARGE(S): Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor 1st degree

Michael Thomas Bovino, 38, of Mooresville, NC

Occupation: College Associate Professor Davidson, NC.

CHARGE(S): Attempted Promoting Prostitution of a Minor 

The York County Sheriff's Office says additional suspects have yet to be identified and located. This is an active and ongoing investigation.