Two men were arrested in a human trafficking operation conducted by the Collegedale Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit, according to a news release.
The Thursday operation, which also involved the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, the FBI and the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office, focused on identifying individuals attempting to purchase commercial sex acts with minors.
Alvaz Kaukab, of Chattanooga, was charged with one count of solicitation of a minor and felony possession of a hallucinogenic drug.
Justin Long, of Chatsworth, Georgia, was charged with two counts of solicitation of a minor and one count of patronizing prostitution, the release said.
Collegedale Police Department / Alvaz Kaukab is charged with one count of solicitation of a minor and felony possession of a hallucinogenic drug.
Collegedale Police Chief Jack Sapp emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting minors.
“Our mission is clear: to safeguard the youth of our community and send a strong message that Collegedale is not a place where criminals can operate with impunity,” Sapp said in the release.
Officials encourage anyone with information related to human trafficking to contact the Collegedale Police Department at 423-396-3133 or the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55TNHTH.
— Compiled by Dasia Williams
Collegedale Police Department / Justin Long is charged with two counts of solicitation of a minor and one count of patronizing prostitution.