7 Face Federal Charges For Child Porn As Operation Clean Sweep Is ‘Just Beginning’

Seven people accused of distributing or having child pornography are facing federal charges. The U.S. Attorney’s office said “Operation Clean Sweep” is just the beginning.

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said Operation Clean Sweep is a major team effort, bringing all forms of law enforcement together to put child predators behind bars.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Trent Shores said the operation brings together local, state, federal, and tribal agencies to track down predators.

"We go after adults who are preying upon children," Shores said. “We launched this operation a little over a week ago, we already have charged seven individuals.” 

The seven men have been charged with distribution and receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

The men charged have been identified as: James Michael Brown, 63, of Tulsa (charged with possession of child pornography only), Michael Lee Figgeroa, 41, of Hominy, Earl Hardy Morrow, 38, and Kory Morrow, 40, who are brothers both of Broken Arrow, Travis Pryce, 50, of Copan, Aaron James Seney, 32, of Sapulpa, and Jerry Vantine, 74, of Tulsa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Nassar is one of the men leading Operation Clean Sweep.

"You know a lot of times I hear, 'Who is the real victim here, if this is just an image being shared?'" Nassar said. "The term child-pornography, that term often doesn't convey what that actually depicts, the rape and molestation of children. So it is in no way a victimless crime."

Shores said seven is a good start, but there has been a huge spike in child pornography production and distribution. According to data from the U.S. Attorney's Office, there has been a 63% increase in tips this year alone and a nearly 100% increase in the number of adults trying to lure children online for sex.

Still, Nassar said every arrest is a big step in the right direction.

“When they’re removed, a significant threat to children everywhere in the northeast district is removed," Nassar said.

Both men say they operation will continue to lead to more arrests, keeping the community safer.

"This is just the first phase of Operation Clean Sweep," Nassar said.

Shores echoed the thought, saying, "This isn't something that is just going to be one week and we're done with it. We're going to push ahead with this and we are going to wrap up as many child predators as we can."