Another Suspect from Huge Child Porn Sting Operation Goes to Trial
One of the suspects nabbed in July 2017 during a sting operation online went on trial this week at the Benton County Justice Center.
70-year-old Thomas Swarers is accused of First Degree Attempted Rape of a child, from his role in seeking to have sex with underage children. He answered an ad on Craigslist that offered "young family fun" among other sexual actvities.
After answering the ad, Swarers offered to try to have sex with what he thought was the 13-year-old son of the woman placing the ad. He also allegedly wanted to have relations with the woman's 'fictitious' 6-and-13-year old daughters. However, when he went to the arranged event, he was arrested.
He was one of a number of people busted in the operation, which utilized online ads and social media sites to lure in sex offender and pedophiles.
Swarers has admitted to officials he had a similar relationship with two girls aged 11 and 13 in Michigan.