Five arrested in undercover operation targeting online child predators

HALL COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of five men after an undercover operation targeting online child predators in Hall County. 

"Operation Rattlesnake" resulted in the arrests of Melo Hairapetian, 28, of Morris, Illinois, Baribefe Monkpe, 23, of Lawrenceville, Anthony Jordan, 37, of Newnan, Drake Cook, 23, of Athens, and James Herndon, 58, of Flowery Branch.

The five suspects were arrested over a four-day period which began last Thursday. They have all been charged with O.C.G.A. 16-12-100.2, Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007.

According to the GBI, the arrestees are accused of traveling from areas around metro Atlanta with the intent to meet a child for sex. One of the suspects was a registered sex offender with previous convictions for child molestation and statutory rape, the GBI said in a news release Tuesday morning. 

A number of law enforcement agencies worked with the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, including the GBI, the Hall County Sheriff's Office and the Hall County District Attorney's Office. Eleven other agencies participated in the planning and coordination of Operation Rattlesnake. 

All five were charged in Hall County.