A two-day operation ended last week with an alleged human trafficking victim in the care of authorities and two dozen suspects facing charges in Coweta County.
Sheriff’s investigator Michael Mathis told AJC.com that the sheriff’s office noticed the illegal activity through routine online surveillance.
“We continuously monitor social sites, and we noticed a little over 200 ads for prostitution that were soliciting in our area,” he said.
That prompted investigators to bring in Homeland Security’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Group due to their “expertise” in those types of operations, Mathis said.
From Wednesday to Friday, the two agencies investigated the ads, learning that they were legitimate and were leading to money exchanging hands. A sting was conducted at an undisclosed hotel in Coweta County.
During the bust, authorities seized a handgun and an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana, Mathis said.
The human trafficking victim was also found, but no further information on her was provided due to the sensitive nature of an ongoing investigation, according to Mathis.
Investigators arrested 24 people during the sting, but none of them face charges in connection to the human trafficking victim. Mathis said federal investigators continue to look for her captors.
“We’re getting her assistance and still working that case,” Mathis said.
Of those arrested, nine face felony charges. The others arrested either face prostitution, pimping or misdemeanor drug charges.
The names and charges of those facing felonies are listed below:
• Alyssa Makenzie Jones, 18, of Atlanta, faces counts of narcotic possession, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and prostitution;
• Nicholas Julian Terrell, 27, of Covington, faces counts of narcotic possession, misdemeanor marijuana possession and pimping;
• Melis Deon Hill, 35, of Atlanta, faces a count of narcotic possession;
• Mya Lauree Saenz, 20, of Atlanta, faces counts of narcotic possession, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and prostitution;
• Misha Rachell Perry, 22, of Atlanta, faces counts of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor marijuana possession;
• Perfection Unique Rivers, 26, of Conyers, faces counts of possession of narcotics with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute;
• Aaron Tyler Simmons, 23, of Greenville, S.C., faces counts of narcotic possession, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and pimping;
• Brittnie C.S. Osunde, 29, of Atlanta, faces two counts of narcotic possession of one count of prostitution;
• Fredrick Walker Jr., 26, of Barnesville, faces counts of narcotic possession, misdemeanor obstruction and pimping.
All 24 suspects were booked into the Coweta County jail.
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