MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nine individuals, including two from the Memphis area, were arrested during a human trafficking sting operation conducted in East Tennessee over the weekend.
Vincent Billingsley, 30, of Memphis, faces charges of promoting prostitution and simple drug possession. Morgan Garrett, 38, of Cordova, is charged with promoting prostitution.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) led the operation in partnership with the Hendersonville Police Department, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and several other agencies. The operation, held on April 11 and 12, focused on addressing human trafficking in the Hendersonville area and identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors.
Undercover agents placed decoy ads on websites known to be linked to prostitution and sex trafficking. As a result, nine individuals were arrested and booked into the Sumner County Jail.
Additional individuals arrested include:
Steven Cannon, 52, from Charlotte, charged with promoting prostitution
Jerry Delp, 68, from Westmoreland, charged with patronizing prostitution
James Jones, 40, from Gallatin, charged with solicitation of a minor
Trinity Knutson, 20, from Conway, Arkansas, charged with prostitution
Carlynn McIntosh, 28, from Goodlettsville, charged with prostitution
Druce Phillips, 21, from Nashville, charged with two counts of patronizing prostitution involving a minor
Mahicol Rivas, 35, from Nashville, charged with promoting prostitution
The TBI also reported recovering two potential victims of human trafficking during the operation. These individuals were offered support services from organizations such as Thistle Farms and AncoraTN.
The sting operation underscores Tennessee law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation, especially involving minors.
