MACON, Ga. — 13 people were arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in an undercover investigation that targeted sex traffickers in Macon-Bibb County, according to a release from the GBI.
Per the release, six of those 13 were arrested in relation to their role in sex trafficking operations, and the others were potential buyers.
The GBI says Macon residents Darren Gillis, Anthony Bowens, Suhntain Griffin, Bobby Harden Jr. and Thomesha Armstrong were all arrested for their roles in the organization, including pimping, lying on federal forms, possession of controlled substances and more.
They say Georgia Emmons, from Americus, was charged with pimping, lying on federal forms and two outstanding warrants.
The goal of the operation was to identify and arrest human traffickers by drawing out commercial sex buyers, according to the release. The GBI says the operation was conducted with assistance from both the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol.
The release says Macon residents Johntaz Bryant, Torri Walton, Cecilio Gabriel Lopez Hernandez and Loc Tan Nyugen were arrested while attempting to purchase sex. Clinton Harris, of Columbus, Jose Cruiz, of Blackshear and Mark Gunter, of Rincon, were all arrested on similar charges.
They say 11 commercial sex workers were located and offered medical services as a result of the investigation.
The GBI is still investigating sex trafficking in the Central Georgia area. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI’s HEAT Unit at 404-270-8433 or the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500.
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