Marion County Human Trafficking Operation Results in Arrests – SValleyNow.com

An undercover operation by special agents from the TBI Human Trafficking Unit, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force resulted in arrests and two individuals requiring treatment.

Over a two-day period beginning on August 7, as part of an undercover operation targeting human trafficking in the East Tennessee area, agents placed several decoy ads on websites known to be associated with prostitution and commercial sex. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result, agents, officers, and detectives arrested two men who were booked into the Marion County Jail.

* Bryan Edward Lawson (DOB: 07-25-1988), Georgetown. Three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means. No bail.

* Jeremiah James Masters (DOB: 06/09/1997), Chattanooga. One count of sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means, $2,500 bond.

In an effort to identify victims of human trafficking, law enforcement officers contacted advertisements placed on websites linked to prostitution and commercial sex advertising. As a result of this portion of the operation, one individual was arrested and another individual was issued a citation. Both individuals were offered and accepted services through a human trafficking victim assistance organization.

Information about human trafficking and TBI’s efforts to combat this crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com.

The charges and accusations referenced in this press release are merely allegations of criminal conduct and are not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.