JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A man from Hamilton County is among 6 people charged with child sex offenses in western North Carolina after a sting operation dubbed “Operation Up the Creek.”
29-year-old Michael Glenn Lowe is charged with attempted statutory rape of a child under 15, indecent liberties with a child, solicitation of a minor by computer, and carrying a concealed weapon.
Lowe was given a secured bond of $300,000, according to the Jackson County, North Carolina sheriff’s office.
Lowe and 5 others are now facing several charges after the multi-agency operation.
A post from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was short on details about how these men came to face these charges.
“Sheriff Farmer and the dedicated team at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office are committed to protecting children and ensuring the safety of ALL Jackson County citizens,” the Jackson County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “We are grateful for the strong relationships we have built at the local, state, and federal levels, which played a crucial role in the success of this operation.”
We’re working to learn more.
Here’s more information about the other arrestees.
Brandon Scott Severt, 32, of Rowan County, N.C.
- Charges: Attempted statutory rape of child under 15, and solicitation of a minor by computer
- Bond: Severt was given a secured bond of $300,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Vincent John Lamonica, 53, of Transylvania County, N.C.
- Charges: Attempted statutory rape of child under 15, and solicitation of a minor by computer
- Bond: Lamonica was given a secured bond of $300,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Nathan Lewis Burch, 25, of Rutherford County, N.C.
- Charges: Attempted statutory rape of child under 15, attempted statutory sex offense with child 15, indecent liberties with child, and solicitation of a minor by computer
- Bond: Burch was given a secured bond of $350,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Jon Thomas Beall Jr., 32, of Knox County, Tennessee
- Charges: Attempted first-degree statutory rape, attempted statutory sex offense with child under 15, indecent liberties with child, and solicitation of a minor by computer
- Bond: Beall was given a secured bond of $500,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Joshua Phillip Phelps, 28, of Stanly County, N.C.
- Charges: Attempted statutory rape of child under 15, attempted statutory sex offense with child under 15, indecent liberties with child, and solicitation of a minor by computer
- Bond: Phelps was given a secured bond of $500,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
