Three men arrested in human trafficking operation in Johnson City – WGRV.com

An undercover operation by special agents from the TBI's Human Trafficking Unit, the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, the Johnson City Police Department and the 1st Judicial District Attorney General's Office resulted in the arrest of three men accused of soliciting illicit sex with minors.

As part of an undercover operation to combat human trafficking in the Johnson City area, officers placed several bogus advertisements on websites known to be associated with prostitution and commercial sex over a two-day period beginning on August 21. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in sexual acts with minors. As a result, three men were arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail:

Dwight Rooker (DOB: 01/15/99), Johnson City – One count of human trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual activity, one count of solicitation of a minor. Bond: $51,000.

Joseph Payne (DOB: 03/23/64), Gray – Two counts of human trafficking for the purpose of commercial prostitution. Bail: $50,000.

Joshua Johnson (DOB: 09/29/81), Prairieville, LA – One count of human trafficking for the purpose of commercial prostitution. Bond: $25,000.

Another part of the operation focused on identifying potential victims of human trafficking. As a result of these investigative efforts, two individuals were recovered and offered assistance from a human trafficking victim support organization.

Information about human trafficking and TBI's efforts to combat this type of crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com.

The charges and allegations contained in this press release are merely allegations of criminal conduct and are not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted in a due process of law.

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Since 1980, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been the state's independent, premier law enforcement agency. Every day, TBI's more than 700 employees focus on the agency's core values ​​of truth, courage and integrity. They provide a variety of advanced criminal and drug investigation, forensics and criminal justice services to support local, state and federal law enforcement partners and deliver on the agency's promise: “Guilt shall not escape, and innocence shall not suffer.” For more information about TBI, visit tn.gov/tbi online. You can also reach the agency on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @TBInvestigation.