12 Middle Georgia men accused of soliciting minors for sex

A dozen suspects have been arrested on charges that they solicited minors for sex after a two-day joint investigation this weekend.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Unit teamed up with the FBI and agencies from around the state on the operation, which took place Saturday and Sunday at a local hotel. Investigators posed as willing minors through websites as part of the investigation, according to a news release issued Monday.

Authorities are not releasing the name of the hotel, said Lt. Sean DeFoe, a public information officer with the sheriff’s office.

The following suspects were arrested and charged with use of a computer service to seduce, solicit, lure or entice a child to commit an illegal act: Christopher Sterling, 37, of Columbus; James Sapp Sr., 68, of Cochran; Amado Lomas, 32, no address available; Chadwick Cagle, 39, of Kathleen; Francisco Lopez III, 32, of Warner Robins; Brett Hall, 22, of Macon; Toney Quesenberry, 26, of Macon; James Howard, 23, of Macon; Charles Thompson, 50, of Macon; Donovan Jorge, 48, of Macon; David Conatser, 50, of Hawkinsville; and Timothy Strickland, 59, of Warner Robins.

To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 6:25 PM with the headline "12 Middle Georgia men accused of soliciting minors for sex ."