JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Three men were arrested in Johnson City following a two-day undercover operation aimed at combating illicit sex trafficking involving minors. The operation, conducted by various law enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of the suspects, who are accused of seeking minors for commercial sex acts.
Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), along with the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, Johnson City Police Department, and the Office of the 1st Judicial District Attorney General, executed the operation. The TBI announced in a news release that the undercover agents placed decoy ads on websites and platforms known to be associated with prostitution and human trafficking.
The arrested men are:
Dwight Rooker, from Johnson City, charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act and solicitation of a minor. His bond was set at $50,000.
Joseph Payne, from Gray, charged with two counts of trafficking for a commercial sex act. His bond was also set at $50,000.
Joshua Johnson, from Prairieville, Louisiana, charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act. His bond was set at $25,000.
The operation not only resulted in arrests but also in the rescue of two individuals, who were offered assistance from a human trafficking victim services organization.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit and local law enforcement continue their efforts to fight human trafficking and provide support to victims.
