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8 South Carolina men went to meet child for sex but were met by law enforcement, police say

8 South Carolina men went to meet child for sex but were met by law enforcement, police say
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    TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE’VE GOT A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START WITH POPE LEO THE 14TH FIRST MASS AS PONTIFF. AS WE CELEBRATE THIS MORNING, I INVITE YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE MARVELS THAT THE LORD HAS DONE, THE BLESSINGS THAT THE LORD CONTINUES TO POUR OUT UPON ALL OF US. POPE LEO BEGAN HIS. HOMILY IN ENGLISH BEFORE CONTINUING IN ITALIAN. THE NEWLY ELECTED PONTIFF PLEDGED TO BE A FAITHFUL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. LEO SUCCEEDS THE LATE POPE FRANCIS AND IS THE FIRST AMERICAN TO BE ELECTED AS POPE. MEANWHILE, THE U.S. AND CHINA ARE SET TO NEGOTIATE TARIFFS IN SWITZERLAND THIS WEEKEND. TREASURY SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT AND U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE JAMISON GREER ARE THERE. THEY SAY THEY HOPE TO DE-ESCALATE THE TRADE WAR. THESE ARE SET TO BE THE FIRST IN-PERSON TALKS BETWEEN U.S. AND CHINESE OFFICIALS SINCE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RAISED TARIFFS, 145% FOR MOST CHINESE IMPORTS. SEVERAL NEW BILLS CLEARED BOTH HOUSES OR BECAME LAW AS THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAME TO A CLOSE. ONE PRIORITY FOR LAWMAKERS DID CROSS THE FINISH LINE. SENATOR JOSH KIMBROUGH OF SPARTANBURG SAYS THE PASSAGE OF LIQUOR LIABILITY REFORM WILL KEEP MANY BARS AND RESTAURANTS FROM HAVING TO CLOSE DOWN. AND HE SAYS PROGRESS WAS MADE TOWARD OTHER PRIORITIES. THE HOUSE PASSED A SOMETHING THAT’S ALWAYS BEEN A PRIORITY OF MINE, WHICH IS TO GET US ON THE PATHWAY TO ZERO INCOME TAX TO ELIMINATING IT. THEY PASSED A BILL IN THE HOUSE LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THAT WILL GET US ON A PATHWAY TO THAT. THAT’S COME OVER TO US, BUT IT’S TOO LATE FOR US TO PASS IT NOW. SO THAT’LL GET CARRIED TO JANUARY. AND A VICTORY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILIES. THE FENTANYL INDUCED HOMICIDE ACT PASSED IN THE FINAL HOURS TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR ON FRIDAY, EVERYONE. LET’S TAKE A LIVE LOOK. DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE BEING JUST PAVED RIGHT NOW WITH THINGS FROM ARTISPHERE. LOOK AT THAT. THE FOOD PART BEING SET UP RIGHT ALONG THE BRIDGE. IT IS JUST GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN THIS AFTERNOON. IT’S A CLOUDY START. IT’S A DRY START. WE WILL SEE A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS IF YOU’RE HEADING OUT THERE. AND THEN LATER THIS AFTERNOON AFTER 2:00, WE’LL GET INTO A COUPLE ISOLATED SHOWERS, A PASSING DOWNPOUR OR TWO. NOTHING LIKE WHAT WE SAW YESTERDAY, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE A PRETTY WARM OUT THERE TODAY. THOSE SKIES ARE GOING TO CLEAR A LITTLE BIT. WE’LL SEE THAT MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS. SO TEMPERATURES WILL BE CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES. IT WILL BE A WARM AFTERNOON, BUT AGAIN NOT TOO BAD. WE’VE GOT A COLD FRONT THAT’S GOING TO TRY TO COME THROUGH. IT’S GOING TO KIND OF KEEP THINGS UNSETTLED, WHICH IS WHY LATER TODAY, A HANDFUL OF DOWNPOURS ARE PASSING. SHOWERS ARE LIKELY AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOUNTAINS A LOT MORE STABLE. SO I THINK THE RAINFALL IS DONE WITH YOU FOR THE DAY. SO GET OUT AND ENJOY HIGHS IN THE LOW 70S. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEEKEND FORECAST AND SOME POSSIBILITY OF FLOODING EARLY NEXT WEEK. QUITE A BIT OF RAINFALL HEADING OUR WAY. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT COMING UP IN MINUTE. RIGHT NOW LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. GET A CHECK ON OUR TRAFFIC ON THIS FRIDAY MORNING. VICTORIA, HOW’S IT LOOKING OUT THERE? HEY, WE’RE STARTING TO SEE SOME RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THIS MORNING, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT I-85 NEAR HIGHWAY 14. WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF CARS OUT THERE. THE GOOD NEWS IS IT IS MOVING. THAT’S USUALLY A DIFFERENT STORY, ESPECIALLY ON A FRIDAY MORNING. BUT WE ARE SEEING PLENTY OF HEADLIGHTS OUT THERE. SO IF YOU’RE HEADING OUT THE DOOR, WATCH FOR PLENTY OF TRAFFIC. ALSO WATCH FOR STANDING WATER. IT LOOKS LIKE THE ROADWAYS AND THE PAVEMENT STILL PRETTY WET AT THE MOMENT. TAKING A LOOK AT OUR MAPS AS WE TRAVEL UP 14 EXCUSE ME 85. NEAR 14 WE ARE SEEING TRAFFIC AND THAT SOUTHBOUND LANE STARTING TO STALL OUT. ALSO TOWARDS 101. TRAFFIC IS MOVING SO DEFINITELY BUSY FOR FRIDAY MORNING AND WE ALSO STILL HAVE AN INCIDENT AS WE TRAVEL UP. HEADING UP TOWARDS EXIT 35 NEAR 385. IT’S NOT CAUSING ANY DELAYS. WE’LL HAVE ANOTHER UPDATE AND ONE LAST CHECK OF YOUR TRAFFIC COMING UP IN JUST A COUPLE MINUTES. ALL RIGHT. THANKS, VICTORIA. AND SPEAKING OF BUSY, IF YOU NEED MOTHER’S DAY PLANS, ARTISTS FEAR BEGINS TODAY IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE ISABELLE MARK JOINS US LIVE WITH SOME REMINDERS. AS FAR AS THE FESTIVAL GOES. GOOD MORNING ISABELLE. HEY, GOOD MORNING. THAT WILL RUN FROM TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY AND ARTISTS HERE IS FREE TO ATTEND NOW. THIS IS THE 21ST YEAR OF THE FESTIVAL. THERE’S FAMILY ACTIVITIES, LIVE MUSIC, SEVERAL, SEVERAL LOCAL RESTAURANT FOOD VENDORS AND PLENTY OF ARTWORK TO ADMIRE OR PURCHASE. BUT YOU’RE ASKED NOT TO TAKE PHOTOS OF THE ART WITHOUT PERMISSION. A BIG FESTIVAL LIKE THIS MEANS LOTS OF TRAFFIC, SO YOU MAY HAVE TO GET CREATIVE. ORGANIZERS RECOMMEND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, RIDESHARE SERVICES. THE SWAMP RABBIT TRAILL, OR CARPOOLING. THE DOWNTOWN TROLLEY WILL STOP AT SEVERAL PARKING GARAGES AS WELL, AND THERE’S ALSO A COMPLIMENTARY BIKE VALET UNDER THE MAIN STREET BRIDGE. ONLY SERVICE ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED, SO LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME AND LAWN CHAIRS, BLANKETS AND COOLERS ARE PROHIBITED. MORE THAN 90,000 VISITORS ATTENDED ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND, BUT FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE, ISABELLE MARAK WIFE NEWS FOUR. ALL RIGHT, ISABEL, THANK YOU. MEANWHILE, TASTY PORK HOUSE PLANTS AND PILATES ARE ALL ON THE TABLE IN THIS WEEK’S NEW FOR YOU. HERE’S OUR STEPHANIE TROTTER WITH THE LATEST AND A TOUCH OF TIM TEBOW. WITH A NEW KOREAN PLACE IS OPENED ON THE MALDEN GREENVILLE LINE OFF 385 HERE’S SUE BRINGS THE HEART OF SEOUL TO EAST BUTLER ROAD WITH BEEF BULGOGI LUNCH BOXES THAT COME WITH SOUP AND THREE TRADITIONAL SIDE DISHES. MANDU IS ANOTHER FAVORITE CRISPY FRIED VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS. ARISU IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT HOURS ON FRIDAYS THROUGH SUNDAYS. WELL, PERHAPS YOU WANT TO WORK OFF THE CALORIES FROM THE RESTAURANTS. WE FREQUENTLY MENTION THE FIRST D1 TRAINING FACILITY IN GREENVILLE IS OPENING ON WOODRUFF ROAD TIM TEBOW IS JUST ONE OF THE HIGH PROFILE NAMES BEHIND THE FRANCHISE, HELPING ATHLETES AT ALL LEVELS IMPROVE THEIR GAME FROM HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITORS TO ADULT WEEKEND WARRIORS. THE GRAND OPENING IS SET FOR MAY THE 10TH. AND PLANTS ON MAIN IN WOODRUFF HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED AFTER ITS RIBBON CUTTING AT THE END OF APRIL. THE SHOP CARRIES A LARGE SELECTION OF TROPICAL HOUSE AS WELL AS SEASONAL OUTDOOR PLANTS. THE OWNERS SAY THEY HAVE ITEMS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR THE BEGINNER, AS WELL AS SEASONED PLANT PARENTS. THEIR GOAL IS TO TEACH YOU HOW TO BE A CONFIDENT PERSON WITH HEALTHY, HAPPY PLANTS. WE HOPE Y
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    8 South Carolina men went to meet child for sex but were met by law enforcement, police say
    Eight men in South Carolina, including two in the Upstate, have been arrested after investigators said the men arrived at locations expecting to meet a child for sexual activity, but were met by law enforcement instead.The Irmo Police Department said it recently hosted an undercover chat operation consisting of multiple agencies including local, state and federal, with the goal of catching suspected online child predators. Investigators posed as either a child or an adult with access to children.They said multiple suspected predators not only contacted them but revealed their harmful intentions. When they moved beyond online communication and arranged in-person meetings to engage in sexual activity with whom they believed to be children, officers intervened. The following men were arrested and face the following charges: To see their pictures, click here. Jason Adam Wilson, 34, of Anderson, SC was charged with Criminal Solicitation of a Minor, Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material to Persons Under 18. He was also wanted by South Carolina Probation, Pardon and Parole.Drasan Lee King, 28, of Woodruff, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor, Failure to Stop for Blue Lights, Reckless Driving, Disregarding Traffic Control Device, Open Container and LitteringBrittain Cody Ratliff, 25, of Lexington, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and Criminal Solicitation of a MinorJoshua Robert McCullough, 29, of West Columbia, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and Criminal Solicitation of a MinorJose Hermilo Gonzales Moreno, 49, of Newberry, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and had an ICE DetainerTimothy Bernard Woods, 53, of Lugoff, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and Criminal Solicitation of a Minor Phillip Scott Westmoreland, 44, of Winnsboro, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (2 Counts), Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree and Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material to Persons Under 18 (2 Counts)Thomas Michael Raimondi, Jr., 59, of Aiken, SC was charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material to Persons Under 18 (2 Counts)

    Eight men in South Carolina, including two in the Upstate, have been arrested after investigators said the men arrived at locations expecting to meet a child for sexual activity, but were met by law enforcement instead.

    The Irmo Police Department said it recently hosted an undercover chat operation consisting of multiple agencies including local, state and federal, with the goal of catching suspected online child predators.

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    Investigators posed as either a child or an adult with access to children.

    They said multiple suspected predators not only contacted them but revealed their harmful intentions.

    When they moved beyond online communication and arranged in-person meetings to engage in sexual activity with whom they believed to be children, officers intervened.

    drasan lee king, jason adam wilson
    Irmo Police Department
    Drasan Lee King, Jason Adam Wilson

    The following men were arrested and face the following charges: To see their pictures, click here.

    • Jason Adam Wilson, 34, of Anderson, SC was charged with Criminal Solicitation of a Minor, Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material to Persons Under 18. He was also wanted by South Carolina Probation, Pardon and Parole.
    • Drasan Lee King, 28, of Woodruff, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor, Failure to Stop for Blue Lights, Reckless Driving, Disregarding Traffic Control Device, Open Container and Littering
    • Brittain Cody Ratliff, 25, of Lexington, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
    • Joshua Robert McCullough, 29, of West Columbia, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
    • Jose Hermilo Gonzales Moreno, 49, of Newberry, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and had an ICE Detainer
    • Timothy Bernard Woods, 53, of Lugoff, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
    • Phillip Scott Westmoreland, 44, of Winnsboro, SC was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor (2 Counts), Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree and Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material to Persons Under 18 (2 Counts)
    • Thomas Michael Raimondi, Jr., 59, of Aiken, SC was charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1st Degree, Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and Unlawful Dissemination of Obscene Material to Persons Under 18 (2 Counts)