Tennessee officials give new details in sex trafficking case

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) – Authorities say a man accused of selling a 12-year-old girl from Texas for sex took the girl to Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville for a month before his arrest.

The Tennessean reports  a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent revealed new details about the case during a preliminary hearing on Friday for Tavarie Anthony Williams. The 36-year-old Williams is charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act and rape of a child.

Agent Jason Wilkerson said the victim was reported missing for more than a month before she was found. Wilkerson said the girl tried to get help by sending a photo of herself to a relative.

Authorities tracked the girl down by monitoring a website that featured explicit ads. Police rescued the girl and arrested Williams last month.

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