Autauga County authorities, with the help of several law enforcement agencies, have arrested 15 individuals in a child sex trafficking operation conducted over two days, from November 21-22, 2024.
The operation, coordinated by the Autauga County Sheriff's Office with support from the Prattville Police Department, the 19th Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Covenant Rescue Group, aimed to target child sex predators. According to Autauga County Chief Deputy Tom Allen, the primary objective was to catch individuals attempting to engage in sex acts with minors.
“Our goal was to catch and arrest child sex predators. We were successful in catching several individuals coming to our county to have sex with whom they believed to be a minor,” said Chief Deputy Allen.
The 15 suspects are facing various serious charges, with 14 of them charged with first-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, and electronic solicitation of a child. One additional suspect, Austin Gill, faces a charge of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act but is not facing human trafficking charges.
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The Autauga County District Attorney’s office sought to have those facing human trafficking charges held without bond under Alabama’s Aniah’s Law, which allows for the detention of individuals arrested for certain serious offenses.
The district attorney's office has indicated that additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
The suspects arrested in this operation include individuals from various Alabama cities as well as out-of-state locations:
- William Gary Denton - Millbrook
- Aaron Blake Schofield - Lapine
- Parrish Patton - Deatsville
- Eric Levail Billups - Montgomery
- Jefferson Andrews - Greenville
- Horace O'Neal Cooper - Prattville
- Christopher Cheatham - Montgomery
- Michael Edward Martin - Autaugaville
- Richard Terrones - Wetumpka
- Joshua Guy Harp - Columbus, Georgia
- Jaylen Ahjier Kennedy - Prattville
- Michael Len Wright - Montgomery
- Jeff Bozeman - Wetumpka
- Ki-shawn Lasagius Quenzel Powell - Tuskegee
- Austin Gill - Bainbridge, Georgia
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Authorities emphasized that the operation is part of a broader effort to combat human trafficking and ensure the safety of minors.
As the investigation continues, officials are working to identify any additional individuals involved in the illegal activities.
This operation is a reminder of the ongoing battle against child exploitation and the importance of law enforcement efforts in keeping children safe from predators.
The arrest of these individuals marks a step forward in addressing the growing issue of child sex trafficking.
Forced labor and prostitution among underage migrants have more than tripled under President Biden. A pistol-packing informant takes The FP’s @Maddie_Rowley_ inside America’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise: sex trafficking: https://t.co/jJWdCc2SJS pic.twitter.com/0cizGrxmdF
— The Free Press (@TheFP) October 14, 2024
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