On October 1, 2025, the York County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference announcing the results of “Operation Huntsman.” According to officials, the operation resulted in the arrest of 11 men from South Carolina and North Carolina, ranging in age from 18 to 60. Law enforcement reported that this sting was aimed at targeting crimes involving solicitation of minors and other related offenses.
The charges announced in connection with Operation Huntsman are among the most serious under South Carolina law. In these stings police officers participate in online chats pretending to be minors, setting up individuals for arrest and prosecution.
Reported charges include:
Criminal Solicitation of a Minor – A felony carrying a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Disseminating Obscene Material to a Person Under 18 – A felony with a possible penalty of up to 10 years.
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree – A felony carrying a mandatory sentence of 2 to 20 years. Time imposed cannot be served on parole and must run consecutive to any other sentence.
Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Third Degree – A felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Second Degree – A felony carrying up to 20 years, not eligible for parole.
Participating in Prostitution of a Minor – A felony with a sentence of 2 to 5 years. Time served is not eligible for parole until the minimum is completed, and the sentence must be consecutive to any other prison time.
In addition to lengthy prison sentences, many of these charges require mandatory sex offender registration. This can impact every aspect of someone’s life long after they have completed any prison sentence.
Police stings of this nature often involve multiple agencies working together. Operations are usually coordinated between local sheriff’s departments, municipal police, and the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Prosecutions are typically handled by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office in Columbia.
It is important to remember that an arrest after a sting operation does not automatically mean guilt. Defenses may exist, including entrapment or challenges to how law enforcement conducted the investigation. Every case must be carefully reviewed to determine if charges can be dismissed, reduced, or if favorable outcomes can be achieved at trial.
At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we represent clients accused of serious felony charges, including those arising from internet sting operations. We understand how overwhelming these cases can be, and we work to protect the rights of our clients from the very beginning of the process.
We have represented numerous individuals arrested in other similar sting operations, and know that many of those charged may have no prior criminal history, families that they must support, solid work histories, but also may suffer from mental health conditions such as depression or other disorders.
If you or someone you know has been arrested in York County or anywhere in South Carolina, call us today at (803) 359-3301. We offer free, confidential consultations. Same-day appointments are typically available.
Disclaimer: All cases are unique, and prior results obtained by our attorneys do not indicate that similar results can be obtained for other clients.