COOKEVILLE - MAY 3, 2019: Eight charged in HJuman Trafficking Sting

Description

Eight people were charged Thursday following a human trafficking investigation by the Cookeville Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division.

Joshua Tyler Meadows, 33, of Cookeville; Kevin Lael Arber, 58, of Nashville; Sam Barrera, 20, of Gainesboro; Timothy Howell, 52, of Jamestown; Bobby McGill, 20, of Robbins; Matthew Kerney, 45, of Byrdstown; and Michael Custer, 59, of Lebanon were all charged with patronizing prostitution, which is a class A misdemeanor, according to the Cookeville Police Department.

Amanda Marie Conley, 38, of Cookeville was charged with prostitution, a class B misdemeanor, the CPD states.

"Undercover detectives and officers posed as patrons who were willing to solicit or hire other individuals with the intent to engage in sexual activity," according to the CPD. "The goal of this investigation was to attempt to locate anyone being exploited into the sex trade."

The CPD asks anyone with information about potential human trafficking situations to call the non-emergency number at 526-2125.

Victims of human trafficking can call the CPD or a 24-hour toll free hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee is one of the best states to combat human trafficking.

"Our state has consistently been ranked among the best in the nation for its approach to this crime, as a growing number of advocates -- from law enforcement to nonprofits to government agencies," the TBI website states.

The TBI website also provided the following statistics:

• In the United States, on average, every two minutes, a child is bought or sold for sex.

• The average age of a child sold for sex is 13 years old.

• Human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry, just behind drug trafficking.