Five arrested in child sex investigation in Effingham

G.G. Rigsby
Aaron Kreh

Five men have been arrested in a four-month-long child sex investigation in Effingham County.

The operation by the Sherriff's Office targeted people attempting to meet children for sex and those who have been downloading and sharing child pornography.

Two of the men were arrested when they came to Effingham County to meet a child for sex.

Aaron Kreh, 36, of Savannah, traveled to Effingham County on June 30 to meet a small child for sex but instead met investigators, according to Sheriff's spokesman David Ehsanipoor.

Merle Singletary, 42, of North Charleston, S.C., expressed a desire to have sex with small children and commit incest, the spokesman said. He was arrested when he came to Effingham on July 4.

Each was charged with criminal attempt to commit child molestation.

Also arrested were: David May, 59, of Bloomingdale; Arterrius Smith, 31, of Statesboro; and Richard Krohn, 40, of Guyton.

They were arrested at their residences following search warrants conducted by Sheriff's investigators. All three were charged with sexual exploitation of children.

"When we target those who share child pornography online, we routinely uncover offenders who are sexually abusing children or stalking them," Ehsanipoor said. "That is why these operations are so critical. Viewing these vile images is a serious crime in itself, because it motivates those who sexually exploit children to create child pornography and it re-victimizes the children involved. It can also be a strong indicator that we are dealing with a child predator."

The investigation was conducted by the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force at the Effingham Sheriff's Office.