Operation leads to string of child porn arrests in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and DeKalb County Police have completed a three-day operation that led to the arrests of four alleged online child porn suspects.

“We’re going to go after you harder than you go after our children,” said Sgt. T. Kennedy, a lead investigator with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Only Channel 2 Action News went behind the scenes of that operation that resulted from tips provided by internet service providers. Channel 2's Nicole Carr began recording the journey Monday, as investigators split into teams and were briefed on 10 locations SWAT teams planned to enter this week.

Kennedy told the teams the cases represented some of the most serious from a backlog of tips. Human and technology errors led to those tips being sent to a trash bin instead inboxes, said Kennedy. They resulted in five months of cases to track and divide based on the most serious dangers to the community.

ARRESTS ON CHILD PORN CHARGES

One of the first stops Tuesday morning was in Druid Hills. It ended with no arrest. Investigators later discovered a 9-year-old boy was behind the exchange of lewd video via a gaming site.

They spoke with his parents and collected evidence to ensure he’s not the one being abused.

“In this particular situation the kid was online gaming and decided this was something he wanted to do,” said Kennedy. “We’ll make sure no one is preying upon this child.”

Later that morning, police entered 60-year-old Brian Anastasio’s Tucker apartment. A warrant was also executed in his mother’s home, where police say most of the lewd child images were downloaded.

Carr caught up with Anastasio at police headquarters after questioning.

"They say you’ve been downloading porn at your mother’s house," Carr told Anastasio.

"No," he answered.

“No, you haven’t?” Carr asked.

Anastasio repeated, “no,” but didn’t answer when Carr asked if the allegations had been made up.

“It’s just absolutely vile, disgusting,” said Joy Rodemoyer, a neighbor. “If he is truly connected, then he deserves everything that’s going to get thrown at him.”

SEX OFFENDER BACK IN JAIL

Early Thursday morning, police arrested 44-year-old Allen Kaplar at a Monterey Drive home. Carr learned Kaplar is currently on probation as a registered sex offender, tied to statutory rape and child molestation charges.

He’s back in jail facing charges related to having lewd child images on his electronic devices. Kaplar told Carr he hasn’t been downloading child porn.

Two other arrests resulted in similar charges this week. Douglas Solomon, 70, was arrested in his W. Davis Drive home and 24-year-old Delacey Durham was arrested for a second time this year. It’s all tied to an alleged inappropriate online relationship with an out-of-state teen.

Kennedy said anyone can learn the ins and outs of this online behavior on “YouTube University.” The technology is creating an uphill battle for investigators, but he has a warning for those who believe they’re operating in secret.

“You’re not safe, “ said Kennedy. “You think you are, sitting at home downloading images of our kids being abused. We’re gonna catch your ass. You’re going to jail.”

Cox Media Group