ALTAVISTA, Va. — A joint operation between the Altavista Police Department and the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit resulted in the arrest of nine men on charges related to the solicitation of prostitution.
The operation, named Operation Joint Forces, aimed to reduce commercial sex and sexual exploitation in Altavista and Campbell County, tackling the demand that fuels sex trafficking in the region.
The men arrested during the operation include:
Christopher W. Bright
William D. Bulerin
Carry W. Keenan
Branden M. Lenover
Sandeep S. Mathone
James M. Miller Jr.
John A. Nutter II
Earl L. Robertson Jr.
Johnny R. Wagner
These individuals come from various locations across Virginia, including Lynchburg, Hurt, Madison Heights, Roanoke, and Gretna.
Campbell County Sheriff Whit Clark emphasized the importance of reducing the demand for commercial sex in combatting sex trafficking. In a statement, Clark said, “Sex trafficking can only flourish where there’s a demand for commercial sex. Reducing this demand is just one part of attacking sex trafficking in our communities.”
This successful operation marks a significant step forward in the community’s efforts to tackle sex crimes and sends a strong message to those involved in such activities. Authorities hope that the arrests will act as a deterrent to others and send a clear signal about the community’s zero-tolerance stance on sex trafficking and exploitation.
The operation also underscores the critical role of collaboration between local law enforcement agencies in addressing complex issues like sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, which require coordinated efforts to effectively combat.
