Several Hamilton County men arrested in human trafficking operation
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested five Hamilton County men during a human trafficking operation. Some individuals were arrested for actions related to trafficking and others were arrested on drug charges.
The operation took place on August 25 and 26.
Law enforcement worked to rescue trafficking victims and identify those partaking in trafficking, promoting, recruiting or soliciting others for commercial sex.
The TBI says they arrested 25-year-old David Acevedo for promoting prostitution, simple possession, unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon and drug paraphernalia.
They arrested 41-year-old Jermaine Suttles for promoting prostitution.
Jermaine Suttles. Courtesy: HCSO
Authorities arrested 33-year-old Ian Strebeck for promoting prostitution and drug paraphernalia.
Ian Strebeck. Courtesy: HCSO
They also arrested 43-year-old Jonathan Harris for promoting prostitution.
Jonathan Harris. Courtesy: HCSO
Lastly, authorities arrested 33-year-old Brandon Nichols for manufacture, sale or delivery of schedule II drugs (fentanyl). He was not arrested on sex trafficking charges, but he was arrested as part of the same operation.
Brandon Nichols. Courtesy: HCSO
The TBI says they cited or arrested several other people during the operation for outstanding warrants.
Seven women also accepted services from Grow Free Tennessee, a non-profit that provides services to those impacted by human trafficking. Other women were offered but declined the services.
Learn more about Tennessee’s approach to human trafficking at ItHasToStop.com.
