Amanda Forrester / news@whmi.com

A recent GHOST operation resulted in the arrests of six people.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson held a press conference highlighting the arrests, including two people operating out of Toledo, Ohio.

53-year-old Flint resident Fred Hamilton was arrested after driving to a sting operation. He allegedly agreed to pay $100 to have sex with a minor. Swanson said it wasn’t the first time the agency had talked to him. He reportedly chatted with an operative previously, but didn’t show up the first time. He allegedly said the operative was “too young” for him but continued the conversation. They had a two-hour long chat.

Port Huron resident Luis Rivera-Tobar, 59, was arrested in a similar sting to Hamilton. According to Swanson, Rivera-Tobar, originally from El Salvador, is in the country legally. He reportedly received a temporary visa in 1994. He allegedly left work, took a shower and changed his clothes, then drove to Genesee County.

21-year-old Devondre Deleon, of Flint, was also arrested in a sting. Swanson said the conversation was very quick before he allegedly traveled to the meeting place. Deleon is reportedly a caregiver for members of his family.

Eastpointe resident Ronald Williams, 51, reportedly left his job as a commercial truck driver, dropped his mom off at church, then drove her car to meet the operative. According to Swanson, Williams has been in and out of prison, including serving time for 2nd degree murder from the 1990s until 2011. He was most recently released in November of last year.

Skye Tristan, 21, and Rodney Fisher, 29, both from Toledo, were arrested for reportedly exploiting an adult with special needs. According to Swanson, they transported the victim from Metamora, Michigan. It was discovered while going through Tristan’s phone, that she was also allegedly sextorting men. Swanson said she would reportedly have sex with the men, take photos, then contact them and say she was underage, and they needed to pay her.

According to Swanson, several minors were rescued after being trafficked along a route that went through Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Toledo. They were reportedly trafficked over 400 times before they were rescued.

Swanson encouraged other potential victims, of any of the suspects or others, to come forward. The Sheriff’s Office can get them in touch with services, along with working on gathering evidence for possible prosecution.

He also said the public can get involved by becoming “Ghost Certified.” The course involves three videos, a study guide and a test. After successful completion, the Sheriff’s Office sends a sticker that can be displayed. He said some people may not feel comfortable coming to authorities and having people who are certified to help steer them to assistance could make a difference.

There was no word on what charges the suspects were facing at the time of the press conference.

(photo credit: GCSO)