An undercover operation conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has led to the arrests of nine human trafficking suspects in Memphis.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the two-day operation was conducted with the help of the bureau’s Human Trafficking Unit, the Memphis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigation, the FBI, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
To catch these human traffickers, decoy advertisements were placed on a website that TBI had already found to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex in Memphis. Thanks to these actions, nine men are now booked in the Shelby County Jail on trafficking charges.
Local news outlet Action News 5 published the list of suspects who were arrested in the operation, as well as their charges. Here is that list:
- Nathan Durham (DOB: 9/15/75), Memphis: Two counts Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts, one count Possession with Intent (marijuana), three counts Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, three counts Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony; $15,000 bond
- Doubse Edwards (DOB: 5/19/66), Memphis: Two counts Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts, one count Possession with Intent (cocaine), one count Felony Possession of Methamphetamine; $40,000 bond
- Cortez Holloway (DOB: 1/26/90), Memphis: One count Promoting Prostitution; $5,000 bond
- Lironda Knighten (DOB: 1/9/96), Marion, Ark.: Two counts Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts, one count Possession with Intent (marijuana), one count Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, one count Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, $20,000 bond
- Mark Pitts (DOB: 10/11/73), Forrest City, Ark.: Two counts Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts, $10,000 bond
- Thomas Riedmaier (DOB: 8/10/54), Gibsonburg, Ohio: Two counts Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts; $7,500 bond
- Steven Scroggins (DOB: 11/18/84), Portland, Ark.: Two counts Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts, one count Felony Possession of Methamphetamine; $30,000 bond
- Patrick Watt (DOB: 1/12/67), Memphis: One count Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts; $15,000 bond
- Anthony Wolfe (DOB: 10/19/69), Horn Lake, Miss.: One count Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts; $15,000 bond
According to TBI, six weapons, nine vehicles, and thousands of dollars in cash and illicit drugs were seized as a result of the arrests.
Several victims of human trafficking were also reportedly offered assistance.
