14 Arrested during sex trafficking sting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- According to the TBI, 14 men were arrested as part of an undercover investigation aimed at addressing human trafficking in East Tennessee.

The TBI says that they set up a two day sting with the assistance of the Chattanooga Police Department and Homeland Security.

Joint Human Trafficking Operation Results in more than a Dozen Arrests https://t.co/J3fYCuBm0n

— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) December 12, 2020

Authorities say that they placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases.

6 of the 14 men arrested are from Chattanooga.

Charges range from Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act to Possession of a Firearm While in Commission of a Felony.

All of the following men are booked into the Hamilton County Jail:

*Gregory Joiner (DOB 7/12/60), Chattanooga:  Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Thomas Baggenstoss (DOB 3/6/77), Knoxville: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Rubelino Velasquez Salas (DOB 1/6/89), Chattanooga: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*William Fugate (DOB 8/18/76), Riceville: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Jerome Stewart (DOB 10/17/95) Chattanooga: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act, Possession of Marijuana

*Michael Scarlett (DOB 3/3/98), Houston, TX: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Khadim Gueye (DOB 9/26/87), Chattanooga, TN: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Sibley Evans (DOB 7/10/77), Lupton City: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Aurelio Hernandez (DOB 9/25/88), Roanoke, VA: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Thomas Cochran (DOB 4/27/78), Carrollton, GA: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act, Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

*Nicholas Underwood (DOB 9/9/99), Cohutta, GA: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act, Possession of a Firearm While in Commission of a Felony

*Bersain Velasquez (DOB 5/24/79), Chattanooga: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act

*Qu’darius Smith (DOB 12/10/97), Chattanooga: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act, Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana

*Nelvin Cruz-Cruz (DOB 2/17/72), Lilburn, GA: Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act