Operation “Someone Like Me” Targets Prostitution in Chattanooga

Chattanooga (WDEF) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Chattanooga Police announce results of an undercover operation cracking down on Human Trafficking.

They have charged or cited 20 men in a four day operation in September and October.

But the goal of Operation Someone Like Me is to rescue victims who are being forced to work in the sex trade.

Officials break down the demographics of the men.

They include a painter, an engineer,, a truck driver, a landscaper, a waiter, a student and a construction worker.

12 are from Tennessee, seven from Georgia and one from Alabama.

Investigators say one of the men was a pimp who tried to recruit undercover agents to work for him.

The goal of the operation is to learn about the trade as well as making arrest.

"We have evolved from the research and reporting phase and into the operation phase" says TBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Margie Quin.

We’re changing the conversation about human trafficking.  We are fine-tuning the way to maximize our efforts in identifying and helping these victims of trafficking, and taking the predators off the streets."