The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:04 PM
Several Arrests Made In Human Trafficking Sting Near Lenoir City Over Weekend
According to a release from the Knoxville FBI's field office, agents partnered with the Lenoir City Police Department, Blount County Sheriff's Office and Knoxville Police Department's Special Crimes unit.
FBI agents called around 75 internet advertisements for commercial sex acts.
In Lenoir City, three females showed up up at an undercover location. Three other individuals operated motel rooms in Knoxville.
In all, four arrests were made for charges of soliciting prostitution, while two other people were cited. Drug charges were also filed in three cases.
The original purpose of the operation was to identify people being exploited by sex traffickers and find those victims help.