Four arrested after multi-agency human trafficking operation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Multiple people have been arrested after a multi-agency human trafficking operation.

From May 30, 2025, to June 1, 2025, local agencies and the TBI’s Human Trafficking Unit arrested four individuals.

The TBI said the focus of this operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors and to recover victims of human trafficking.

Below is the list of the individuals who were arrested, their charges, and bonds.

Thomas Leighton (DOB 9/26/1959), Soddy Daisy:

• Trafficking for a Commercial Sex Act
• Bond: $20,000

Brandon Moates (DOB 11/09/1997), Chattanooga:

• Unlawful Carrying or Possession of a Weapon
• Manufacture, Delivery, Sale, Possession of Methamphetamine
• Schedule II Drug Violations
• Simple Possession/Casual Exchange
• Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia
• Bond: $13,000

Tommy Puyear (DOB 6/6/1973), Rossville, Georgia:

• Solicitation of a Minor
• Unlawful Carrying or Possession of a Weapon (2 counts)
• Manufacture, Delivery, Sale, Possession of Methamphetamines
• Schedule II Drug Violations
• Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia
• Bond: $20,000

Weston Stansell (DOB 8/22/1996), Chattanooga:

• Solicitation of a Minor
• Bond: $15,000

For more information about human trafficking, please visit this link.