BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — According to the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department (BTPD) and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), a joint investigation resulted in the arrest of 11 men who allegedly sought illicit sex from minors.
On March 9, authorities reportedly placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases.
The two-day undercover investigation aimed at addressing human trafficking in Northeast Tennessee netted the following arrests, according to the BTPD:
–Johnathan Michael Campbell, Johnson City — Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor, two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor and one count of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. $50,000 bond.
–James Stephen Samples, Hurricane, WV — Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Isaac Darko Addo, Johnson City — One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–George Chavez Lopez, Morristown — Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Casey Aaron Miller, Boone, NC — One count of Solicitation of a Minor, one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor and one count of Simple Possession/Casual Exchange. $50,000 bond.
–Adonius Deondre Fields, Johnson City — One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Stacy Ray Harrington, Blountville — One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Ismael Villa Arzate, Weaverville, NC– One count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Paul Brandon Alley, Hellier, KY — Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Carlos Perez-Jose, Johnson City — Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
–Bruce M. Byrd, Spartanburg, SC — Two counts of Solicitation of a Minor and two counts of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. $50,000 bond.
The investigation involved special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Human Traffic Unit, the BTPD, the 2nd Judicial District Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the 2nd Judicial District Attorney General’s Office.
Bristol, Tennessee Police Chief Matt Austin said the investigation started months ago and ended last Thursday with the two-day undercover operation. Austin said his department and the partner agencies required much time and effort for the operation to work.
“It took a lot of manpower, a lot of people, a lot of moving parts to the operation,” Austin said. “It just takes a huge coordination.”
Austin did not provide much detail on how the operation went down but said the number of arrests shows the demand for sex trafficking of minors online.
“The way they operate is moving around in the shadows of the internet,” Austin said. “Because of the hard work of the men and women that were involved in this operation, they can no longer hide in those shadows.”
Although those arrested were responding to a decoy ad, Austin said it was not by chance they were charged.
“These people that were arrested had the forethought of looking for children to traffic for prostitution, and they were willing to come travel to do that,” Austin said.
Austin said his department has committed its full resources to protecting children in the community.
Michael Filetti of the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office said the operation was a success because of the hard work of those involved.
“We’re grateful to get those people off the streets,” Filetti said. “These men and women work tirelessly and extremely hard to make this operation a success.”
Austin said parents need to be diligent with what their children are doing online.
“It’s just the transparency of stay involved,” Austin said. “Stay involved and see what’s happening with your children and who they’re communicating with.”
All 11 men were booked into the Sullivan County Jail on various charges.
