A team working undercover to expose a sex crimes operation nabbed former S.C. Department of Transportation Commissioner John Hardee.

Hardee, 72, was booked into Richland County’s Alvin S Glenn Detention Center on a charge of solicitation of prostitution, last Thursday. He also pleaded guilty earlier in the week to charges of federal evidence tampering.

In all 14 people were arrested in the same effort that led to Hardee's arrest. 

Richland County Sheriff Lott also said Deputy Derek Vandenham, 34,  who has been arrested, thought he was communicating with a 15-year-old-girl. Lott called Vandenham's actions "disgusting." Lott held a news conference Tuesday with S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, and members of other agencies. 
The sting was entitled "Operation Relentless Guardian." it was a joint effort involving eight law enforcement agencies, the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security, and U.S. Marshals.

The operation was intended to identify and arrest child predators, known as "travelers," and buyers of commercial sex, known as "johns." According to Lott, there were 14 travelers over a five day period who were communicating with undercover law enforcement officers posing as young girls online. The suspects then traveled to meet the "girls," one coming from as far as Florida. Five were arrested and warrants were obtained for the additional nine. Changes range from soliciting the young girls for sex, sending nude photos of themselves to the girls, and arriving at a location for the purpose of having sex.

Wilson and Lott said it is important for parents to be aware of who children are communicating with  on the internet. 
"It's imperative that parents be involved and know what their children are doing online, and who they're talking to," Lott said. "These predators have a much greater reach than our own backyard."