Fourteen people were cited or arrested by Chattanooga Police over the last two weeks during a prostitution operation:Bernadine Gurule - Prostitution and outstanding warrantsMildred Scruggs - Prostitution, evading arrest and assaultJeffery Williams - Patronizing prostitutionJames Queen - Patronizing prostitutionMichael Cruze - Patronizing prostitutionDale Ullo Jr. - Patronizing prostitutionLawrence Turner - Patronizing prostitutionJames Weekley Jr. - Patronizing prostitutionMarcus Manning - Promoting prostitution, evading arrest and resisting arrestCourtney Rice - Promoting prostitution and possession of marijuanaDeanna Ruffin - Promoting prostitutionDavidetta Fahn - Promoting prostitutionJasmine Mansel - ProstitutionAerial Mansel - ProstitutionSource: Chattanooga Police Department
Jimmy WeekleyA Baylor School head soccer coach said he solicited a prostitute in a moment of weakness last week after he was cited by Chattanooga police during a sting at a local hotel near Shallowford Road and Interstate 75.
Jimmy Weekley, 44, who coached girls varsity soccer at Baylor School and is one of the winningest high school coaches in the state, resigned from his position at the school.
"I made a poor decision. I have hurt my wife and my family, and disgraced my employer and team by my actions. I accept full responsibility," Weekley said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "Toward that end, I have entered family counseling and have tendered my resignation to Baylor School. I apologize and deeply regret my actions and those I have hurt and whose trust I have broken."
Weekley allegedly went to meet a woman he found on an online ad soliciting sex. In the same sting, 65-year-old CARTA Director of Southeast Region Mobility Jim Queen also was cited. They were both cited after the woman, an undercover police officer, discussed money for services with each of them on Nov. 13.
Three other men were picked up in the same sting that night, including 39-year-old Michael Cruze, 49-year-old Dale Ullo Jr. and 63-year-old Jeffrey Williams.
Police seized $1,600 and a firearm during the operation, which spanned a two-week period and netted 14 people.
"[Prostitution] does happen more than people think," Chattanooga police Chief Bobby Dodd said about the reverse operation. "We do take the prostitutes off the street, and if we can deter the johns from coming down, that can slow it down, as well."
Queen has been placed on leave, said Lisa Maragnano, executive director of CARTA.
"The matter is currently under investigation and due to it being a personnel matter, I have no further comment at this time," she said.
Under Weekley's leadership, Baylor's soccer teams have played in 11 state finals. The teams won seven state championships. His career record with the Lady Red Raiders is 257-26-26 spanning 15 seasons.
The Times Free Press named its Soccer Player of the Year award after Weekley this year.
Barbara Kennedy, director of external affairs for Baylor School, said in a statement that "Baylor Girls' Soccer Coach Jimmy Weekley has advised the school that he has resigned for personal reasons. Because this is a personnel matter, the school cannot comment further."
Weekley had served as an assistant coach for the Chattanooga Football Club but resigned that position earlier in the fall. CFC officials had no comment, but did confirm that they had also accepted Weekley's resignation from the team's youth academy.
Attorney Lee Davis is representing Weekley.
Patronizing prostitution is a class B misdemeanor that carries a maximum fine of $500.
"We have met with the Chattanooga detective and cooperated fully in the process for misdemeanors," Davis said in a statement. "He has been cited to report by December 13."
Contact staff writer Beth Burger at bburger@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6406. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/abburger.