Dave Clark
Thirteen people were charged this week during an investigation into human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, and prostitution in Anderson County, authorities said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, asked Anderson County’s Seventh Judicial Crime Task Force to work with it to detect and investigate any instances of human trafficking or related crimes that might be occurring in the Anderson County area, according to a Friday press release from District Attorney General Dave Clark.
Federal and state law enforcement agencies completed the investigation this week. They were helped by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Clinton Police Department, and Oliver Springs Police Department, which all provided “important and considerable manpower and assistance,” the press release said.
The District Attorney General’s Office participated in planning, monitoring, and supporting the operation, the release said.
“Deputies, agents, and officers worked together to set up in an area hotel posing as an illicit sexual services customer,” the release said. “This operation included approximately 24 law enforcement officers from the participating agencies. The operation was carefully monitored and video recorded, and undercover deputies, agents, and officers were positioned outside and inside the hotel. The intended targets were any individuals exploiting women, particularly vulnerable women, and profiting from their participation in the sex trade.”
The press release said the FBI and District Attorney General’s Office had victim services coordinators at the scene to help any women or juveniles found to have been victims of human trafficking or who were sexually exploited.
“Remarkably, no prostitutes were found operating out of Anderson County,” the press release said. “There were a number of persons charged in the operation, but none had Anderson County addresses. All of the defendants were contacted as the result of Internet advertisements and traveled to Anderson County from Knoxville.”
Also, there were few charges for anything other than prostitution, the press release said.
“I am pleased that we did not find any indication of juvenile exploitation or human trafficking as part of this investigation,” Clark said. “Since we didn’t find a local problem and no indication of human trafficking, the most noteworthy takeaway from this operation was the professional and cooperative manner in which the FBI, the Crime Task Force, the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Clinton and Oliver Springs Police Departments, worked together. I am grateful for their efforts.”
The press release said the 13 people charged during the investigation were booked into the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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