Timothy Carter / Photo from tbinewsroom.com
Stephen Whited / Photo from tbinewsroom.com
Brian Hamler / Photo from tbinewsroom.com
Donald Thomas / Photo from tbinewsroom.comA joint undercover investigation aimed at human trafficking in Bradley County, Tennessee, has led to the arrest of four men, according to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation news release.
The TBI, the Cleveland Police Department and the Bradley County Sheriff's Office all participated.
Authorities put several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex acts over a three-day period beginning Aug. 15, the TBI said. The operation was focused on identifying people seeking to engage in sex acts for money with people under 18, to rescue people forced into trafficking and to target people who looked to force others into trafficking.
Arrested and booked into the Bradley County Jail were Timothy Carter, 40, of Crossville, Tenn.; Stephen Whited, 29, of Sweetwater, Tenn., and Brian Hamler, 44, of Atlanta. Each man is charged with one count of trafficking for commercial sex.
Also arrested was Donald Thomas, 46, of Lawrenceville, Ga., who is charged with one count of promoting prostitution and one count of criminal impersonation.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the TBI.
More information about human trafficking can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com.