Missing Nc Teen Found During Human Trafficking Sting Operation

L to R: Timothy King, Jesse McMinn, Tabitha Banks (Photo: KCSO) 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A missing North Carolina child was found during a human trafficking sting operation in Knox County Tuesday.

Timothy King, Jesse McMinn and Tabitha Banks were arrested during the operation at a Holiday Inn in Knoxville at 9143 Executive Park Drive.

Investigators found an advertisement on Backpage.com. After contacting McMinn, an undercover detective made an appointment for a “two girl special.”

Read more from Knoxville Tennessee 7News WSPA

11 Men Including Middle School Coach Charged in Tenn. Human Trafficking Sting

KINGSPORT - A Sullivan North Middle School coach, a youth leader and others are facing felony charges after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Kingsport Police Department announced results from a Human Trafficking investigation.
 
TBI Director Mark Gwyn said 11 men face felony charges in Kingsport. The operation, called "Someone Like Me," is the 10th of its kind in the State of Tennessee.

Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation along with the Kingsport Police Department, 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the undercover operation to identify potential victims of trafficking and arrest those seeking to purchase illicit sex from a juvenile.

Read more from Kingsport Tennessee WFMY CBS News2

Tennessee Human Trafficking Sting Leads To 11 Arrests

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (AP) - Eleven men in Tennessee - including a church youth leader and a coach - have been arrested as part of a human trafficking operation sting.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced in a statement Tuesday that the Kingsport-based anti-trafficking operation called "Operation Someone Like Me" took place July 31 through Aug. 3. The TBI partnered with several agencies, including the Kingsport Police Department and Homeland Securities Investigations, to conduct the operation.

Read more from Chattanooga Tennessee WRCBtv.com

Woman Rescued, Two Charged With Sex Trafficking In Monroe County Sting

A Tennessee woman was rescued and two people were charged with trafficking her through online sex ads during an undercover sting at a Monroe County motel on Wednesday, according to court records.

Tarkira M. Bell 20, of Richmond, Va., Malik D. Edwards, 39, of Tobyhanna, allegedly met the victim days earlier in Charlottesville, Va., and asked her if she wanted to make money, records show. The victim wanting to get back to Tennessee agreed to go with Bell and Edwards, and they then forced her into prostitution, records show.

Read more from The Morning Call

Tennessee Must Fight Hard To End Human Trafficking

Like many people lucky enough to call Tennessee home, I’ve heard about human trafficking before. But it’s entirely different to see it firsthand, right here in our state.

I had the chance recently to see “Operation Someone Like Me,” spearheaded by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, from the inside. It is complex, lifesaving, incredible work. As a legislator, combating human trafficking is something we often discuss, but seeing it firsthand absolutely cemented my belief that we must continue working to implement policies that will assist our law enforcement throughout the state in these operations.

Read more from the Tennessean 

41 Arrested In Tennessee Human-Trafficking Probe

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Margie Quin said during the news conference that they were overwhelmed and disturbed by the amount of responses the false ads received. Quin said that on the first day of the operation Tuesday afternoon, agents received more than 216 responses in just seven hours.

“Even with as many of these operations that we have conducted across the state, it’s still shocking that half of the men responding to these ads wanted to pay to have sex with a minor,” Quin said. “We’re working toward helping victims of trafficking and taking these predators off the streets.”

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New Law To Curb Human Trafficking In Effect In Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A new law to combat the growing problem of human sex trafficking goes into effect Friday.

July 1 marks the implementation of many new laws in Tennessee. This legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) will increase penalties for traffickers who promote another person for prostitution.

Read more from Local 8 Knoxville Tennessee

Alleged Chattanooga Pimp Charged With Sex Trafficking

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – An alleged assault by a man described as a pimp leads police to so much more.

Kenneth Jones, 34, of Chattanooga is facing one count of trafficking commercial sex, aggravated assault, and two counts of drug charges following an incident at his home on Friday.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by News 12, a Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy was called to investigate an alleged assault at a residence in the 2300 block of Lake Mist Drive where he encountered a woman outside who appeared to have been injured in some type altercation.

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