Four arrested in Swain County child exploitation operation; 10 more expected to face charges

Four people were arrested and 10 others are expected to face charges following a multiagency law enforcement operation targeting alleged criminal activity involving children, according to the Swain County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Brian Kirkland. The operation, called "Operation Shepherd's Hammer 2026," was conducted in early August by the Sheriff's Office and federal, state and local law enforcement partners. Specialized law enforcement personnel worked from undisclosed locations in Swain County with the goal of identifying people allegedly willing to engage in illegal activity involving juveniles and children, according to Kirkland. Fourteen people were identified during the operation. Four have been arrested, while the remaining 10 are expected to face charges in the coming weeks. Those arrested were: Daniel Shane Brown, 54, of Clyde, charged with attempted statutory rape of a child 15 or younger, attempted kidnapping, indecent liberties with children and solicitation of a child by computer. Paul Christopher Hampton, 28, of Bryson City, charged with attempted statutory rape of a child 15 or younger, attempted kidnapping, indecent liberties with children and solicitation of a child by computer. Bobby Joe Conner, 57, of Sylva, charged with attempted statutory rape of a child 15 or younger, attempted kidnapping, indecent liberties with children, solicitation of a child by computer and a sex offender/child premises offense. Roberto Guadalupe Zapata Valencia, 33, of Franklin, charged with attempted statutory rape of a child 15 or younger, indecent liberties with children, solicitation of a child by computer and displaying material harmful to a minor. Zapata Valencia was also placed on a detainer by the U.S. government. Agencies participating in the operation included Homeland Security Investigations, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Macon County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, Franklin Police Department and Brevard Police Department. The District Attorney's Office for the 43rd Prosecutorial District also assisted with the operation. Sheriff Brian Kirkland thanked the participating agencies and said protecting children remains a priority for his office. "The Swain County Sheriff's Office will spare no expense in protecting the children of Swain County," Kirkland said. "I want to be clear, there are bad actors out there and we will not stop until every effort has been made to identify, locate, arrest and put them in jail." Kirkland said his office has "zero tolerance for anyone who would engage in illegal activity with a child" and credited cooperation among mountain-area law enforcement agencies with helping make the operation possible. "We are blessed to have a strong law enforcement family here in the mountains," Kirkland said. "I am thankful for the strong relationships my staff and I have established and am looking forward to our continued partnerships moving into the future." Kirkland also urged parents, grandparents and guardians to closely monitor children's use of social media, electronic devices and gaming platforms. "Parents, grandparents, guardians and family, please use this as a stark reminder to practice oversight on the children in your lives," Kirkland said. "I would rather hurt a loved one's feelings by protecting them than to allow them to become the victim of a predator on the internet." He encouraged adults to regularly check on children's online activity. "Check in on your young ones and see what they are up to on their social media, devices and gaming platforms," Kirkland said. Kirkland also thanked the personnel involved in the operation for their time and dedication. "Collectively, everyone involved helped make Swain County a safer, better place for our children," he said. "I can't thank you enough." All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Four arrested in Swain County child exploitation operation; 10 more expected to face charges

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