Scenic City Sex TraffickingArrestees
- Edward Didona, 55, Benton, Tenn. - Brian Burton, 34, Chattanooga, Tenn. - Christopher D. Frazier, 24, Chattanooga, Tenn. - Michael T. Roper, Sr, 43, Morristown, Tenn. - Jose Maldonado, 50, Dalton, Ga. - Edward Javier Lopez Guardado, 33, Bowdon, Ga. - Jorge Astrain, 20, Dalton, Tenn. - Abel Cervantes Zuniga, 38, Hixson, Tenn. - Robert Collins, 47, Athens, Tenn. - Detrick McFarlin, 28, Ailey, Ga. - Donald Williams, 37, Old Fort, Tenn. - Courtney McKinley, 36, unknown - Curtis Brown, 49, Ringgold, Ga. - Jiboey Abraham, 18, Chattanooga, Tenn. - Cedric Ford, 25, Chattanooga, Tenn. - Ralph Comer, 50, Blountville, Ala. - Mario Morales, 32, Chattanooga - Kenneth Langford, 42, Soddy Daisy, Tenn. - Luis Perez Ramos, 19, Dalton, Ga. Source: TBI
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn announced in a press conference this morning that 20 local men have been arrested in a human trafficking investigation spanning four days in September and October.
Gwyn said the operation was called "Someone Like Me" is the third of its kind conducted in the state.
TBI Special Agent In Charge Margie Quin said 12 women found involved in human trafficking were arrested then offered rescue services to help free them from the world of human trafficking.
Quin said the name of the operation arises from a remark from a victim in an earlier case who was thankful for the help she was offered.
"Most were charged with patronizing prostitution. However, we are continuing to investigate several of the men for possible additional charges," TBI Spokesman Josh DeVine said.
Officials with End Slavery Tennessee and Second Life Chattanooga participated in the operation and offered help to the women involved.
The men arrested included a painter, an engineer, a truck driver, a landscaper, a waiter, a student and a construction worker, officials said.
A dozen of the men were from Tennessee, seven were from Georgia and one was from Alabama. Two of those men brought guns in their waistbands when meeting with undercover agents and another man had numerous credit cards and a skimmer in his car, officials said.
Chattanooga Police Chief of Staff David Roddy said the operation for Chattanooga investigators is approaching the problem from the perspective of the victims.
"The victim is the most important part" of law enforcement's effort to attack the problem effectively, Roddy said.
Police Chief Fred Fletcher said operations like the joint effort with TBI "are vital to the safety and well-being of our city."
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.
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