Countrywide underage sex sting lands two metro men in jail

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Police arrested two men in a sex-sting operation at a Cobb County motel and a nearby business just hours apart.

Authorities told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that the arrests are part of a nationwide investigation into sex trafficking called Operation Cross Country.

The joint investigation of federal, state and local police has led to 60 arrests in Georgia.

Motel manager B.K. Kahn told Regan he thought there was something strange about Thomas Blackstone, the man who showed up in his lobby late on the night of Oct. 13.

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“Guy came in looking for someone,” Kahn said. “He couldn't provide a name, but said 'I'm looking for someone, I'll wait in the lobby.'”

Authorities said Blackstone was looking for a 14-year-old girl that he met on a dating app.

Turns out that juvenile was in fact an undercover police officer. A meeting was arranged at a Days Inn motel.

Investigators say Blackstone sent a text to the purported girl from the lobby.

But instead of the girl showing up, “Within five minutes, I see four cops walk in and they take the guy out," Kahn told Regan.

On that same night, just around the corner in the Dave and Busters parking lot, police arrested Joshua Dooley.

The arrest warrant accuses him of posting an online ad stating he was looking to meet a younger girl. The undercover officer posing as the girl stated her age as 14 and in high school.

The warrant said Dooley confessed at the time of his arrest.

The two arrests were part of a nationwide sweep aimed at catching sex trade traffickers, and those who prey on the victims.

The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children say the operation rescued 84 minors and led to 120 arrests.

Kahn told Regan that he was happy to help local police when they showed up in his lobby to make an arrest.'

“I feel safe. I feel safe for my guests, myself, for everyone."

Authorities say the average age of victims recovered in their operations was 15.

Cox Media Group