A coordinated operation by Covenant Rescue Group (CRG) and the Irondale Police Department has led to seven arrests on felony charges tied to suspected online exploitation of minors. The Trussville Police Department also assisted in the operation, which stretched across several days.
The suspects now face charges including electronic solicitation of a minor and traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act. Among those arrested are:
- Tommy Usher III, 29, of Birmingham
- Isaiah Burton, 22, of Birmingham
- Michael Burdett, 23, of Anniston
- James Harrison, 64, of Birmingham
- Juan Esteban, 42, of Tarrant
- Martin Flores, 43, of Leeds
- Derrick Tuck, 40, of Birmingham
All are being held in the Jefferson County Jail under a bond of $80,000 each.
Irondale’s Sex Crimes Unit led the sting, using undercover decoys pretending to be minors online. The Department said the operation, dubbed “Operation Iron Shield” was part of a broader effort to root out those who target youth through the internet…