Six people, including an AL(dot)com freelance photographer, were arrested after the Homewood Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit partnered last week with the FBI in an ongoing effort to combat child exploitation and human trafficking.
Homewood Police and the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force made the arrests on July 20 and July 21 as part of Operation Cross Country, according to WBRC.
Marvin Gentry, age 57 of Calera, was charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child (class B felony) and Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex (class A felony). According to the Jefferson County Jail’s website, Gentry was released on a $60,000 bond.
AL(dot)com confirmed to ABC 33/40 News Gentry worked for them as a freelance photographer. According to ABC 33/40, AL.com said Gentry had most recently photographed for the site in May, working at the U.S. Open Cup soccer at Protective Stadium and the AHSAA Baseball Championships at Jacksonville State.
According to his LinkedIn, Gentry has also worked for Reuters, the Associated Press and USA Today.
According to WBRC, other men arrested include:
Robertin Gallegos, age 64 of Alabaster, has been charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child (class B felony) and Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex (class A felony). Bond amount $60,000.
Decarlos Brown, age 23 of Birmingham, has been charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child (class B felony) and Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex (class A felony). Bond amount $100,000.
Logan Sullivan, age 30 of Homewood, has been charged with Distribution of Obscene Material (class B felony). Bond amount $45,000.
John Washburn, age 37 of Birmingham, has been charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child (class B felony), Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex (class A felony), and Transmitting Obscene Material (class B felony). Bond amount $150,000.
Randall Manweiler, age 27 of Mount Olive, has been charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child (class B felony) and Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex (class B felony). Bond amount $90,000.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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