ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies arrested three people, including a married couple, in sting operations involving internet sex crimes against children, the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
The first sting operation happened on Tuesday, July 23. Investigators arrested and charged 51-year-old Jeffery Ray Surles with indecent liberties with a child and solicitation of a child by computer. The sheriff's office said Surles came to a designated location to meet a minor for sex. He was placed in jail under a $175,000 secured bond.
The second sting operation happened on Friday, July 26. Investigators arrested and charged husband and wife 52-year-old Mark Wayne Mabe and 51-year-old Lisa Owens Mabe with indecent liberties with a child, solicitation of child pornography, and solicitation of a child by computer. The sheriff's office said the couple also appeared at a designated location to meet with a minor. They were placed in jail under $225,000 secured bonds.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Invictus Task Force, and the Reidsville Police Department assisted in the investigation and arrests.
