Three men arrested as part of sex trafficking sting were granted bond by a judge Wednesday, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Randy Ash, 35, of Winder, Mohammad Nihal Patel, 22, of Eatonton, and Joshua Paul Harkins, 28, of Demorest were each granted bond, the paper reported. Ash and Patel got out of jail on a $17,000 bond.

Harkins got a $20,000 bond, but was still in jail after Habersham County authorities requested a hold on his release.

Ash, Patel and Harkins were among 21 Georgians arrested as part of a sex trafficking sting. They were arrested as part of the Athens-based operation.

The two other men arrested in the Athens operation remained in jail due to history of fleeing authorities.

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Stacey Abrams speaks at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at Georgia State University’s convocation center in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Abrams is at the center of speculation over whether she will mount a third campaign for governor. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC