Operation Tripwire Results in Multiple Arrests

Franklin -- September 2, 2024: Franklin Police Department Press Release: Recently, the Franklin Police Department

spearheaded and partnered with the Macon County - NC Sheriff's Office to conduct OPERATION TRIPWIRE which was a multi-day “Internet Crimes Against Children” (ICAC) enforcement campaign. 

This operation took months to develop and plan due to the intricacies involved to make it successful. Approximately 50 law enforcement officers, special agents, and investigators were brought in to assist with this undercover investigation. ICAC task forces investigate, prosecute, and develop effective responses to technology facilitated crimes against children. These task forces target individuals that use social media and other applications to engage and meet with children. This operation was a first of its kind in our area, and could not have been possible without the amazing teamwork of everyone involved. Detectives with the Franklin Police Department, Macon County Sherriff’s Office, and Highlands Police Department worked diligently in planning this operation over the past several months.

The operation resulted in seven (7) arrests, and additional suspects will have pending charges which we will provide an update at a later time. A few of these defendants will also face additional federal charges in the United States Court system. One specific case is being followed up by federal investigators due it possibly involving multi-state crimes. As always, we are committed to keeping your children protected, and making the Town of Franklin and Macon County a safe place to grow up.
We are grateful for the tremendous support and assistance from the below agencies and organizations. Without them this operation would not have been so successful.

- Department of Homeland Security
- North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (western district)
- Highlands Police Department (NC)
- Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office
- Anderson County Sheriff's Office SC
- High Point Police Department
- Mint Hill Police Department
- N.C. DMV License and Theft
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
- District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch; N.C. 43rd Prosecutorial District
-U.S. Attorney’s Office
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- Cellebrite

Below are the defendants that were arrested during the operation:
Benjamin Patrick Harrison
Age:29
Franklin, NC
Offenses:
(F) Attempt Statutory Rape <=15,
(F) Solicit Child by Computer/Appear
Kevin Ray Gates
Age:65
Franklin, NC
Offenses:
(F) Attempt Statutory Rape <=15,
(F) Solicit Child by Computer/Appear,
(F) Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor,
(M) Disseminate Material Harmful to a Minor
Travis Edward Scott
Age:32
Sylva, NC
Offenses:
(F) Attempt Statutory Rape <=15,
(F) Solicit Child by Computer/Appear
Michael David Newman
Age:54
Sylva, NC
Offenses:
(F) Attempt Statutory Rape <=15,
(F) Solicit Child by Computer/Appear
Kendred Ryan Ward
Age:21
Forest City, NC
Offenses:
(F) Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor,
(F) Solicit Child by Computer,
(M) Disseminate Material Harmful to a Minor
Dustin Wayne Tallent
Age:28
Franklin, NC
Offense:
(F) Solicit Child by Computer
Shawn Pierre Berne
Age:42
Sevierville, TN
Offense:
(F) Attempt Statutory Rape by an Adult (4-year-old child)

Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.