An investigation by special agents with the Human Trafficking Unit of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, detectives with the Cleveland Police Department, and investigators with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Department has resulted in the arrest of two Tennessee men, and two men from Georgia.
Over a three-day period beginning Aug 15, as part of an undercover investigation aimed at addressing human trafficking in Bradley County, authorities placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex acts. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with individuals under the age of 18 and to rescue individuals forced into trafficking, as well as targeting individuals who looked to force individuals into trafficking.
As a result of the operation, four men were arrested and booked into the Bradley County Jail:
Timothy Carter, 50, Crossville. One count trafficking for commercial sex.
Stephen Whited, 29, Sweetwater. One count trafficking for commercial sex.
Brian Hamler, 43, Atlanta. One count trafficking for commercial sex.
Donald Thomas, 43, Lawrenceville, Ga. One count promoting prostitution, one count criminal impersonation.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests and charges.
Information about human trafficking and TBI’s efforts to address this type of crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com.