{"id":10046,"date":"2015-05-31T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2015-05-31T13:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=10046"},"modified":"2015-05-31T00:16:48","modified_gmt":"2015-05-31T05:16:48","slug":"tennessee-bureau-of-investigation-announces-results-of-week-long-human-trafficking-operation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2015\/05\/31\/tennessee-bureau-of-investigation-announces-results-of-week-long-human-trafficking-operation\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announces results of Week Long Human Trafficking Operation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TennesseeNashville, TN <\/strong>– The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced results of a week-long operation to better understand and combat human trafficking in Tennessee.<\/p>\n

With the partnership of the Brentwood Police Department, the Clarksville Police Department, and End Slavery Tennessee, TBI Agents embarked on an undercover operation to identify potential victims of trafficking, arrest those seeking to purchase illicit sex, and learn more about the specific nuances of this type of crime.<\/p>\n

\"It<\/a>

It is Human Trafficking and Tennessee Won’t Stand for It<\/p><\/div>\n

The fact-finding operation will eventually be duplicated in other parts of the state as the TBI works to better equip law enforcement departments to investigate human trafficking and help victims.<\/p>\n

Authorities arrested about a dozen men on prostitution-related offenses and also identified several young women who may be victims of human trafficking. One young woman was referred to services provided through End Slavery Tennessee. The men included a pastor, an Army lieutenant, a farmer, and a small business owner.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be an uphill battle, because what we\u2019re really doing in Tennessee is changing the conversation about human trafficking,\u201d said TBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Margie Quin. \u201cIt\u2019s like domestic violence or drunk driving decades ago. What was once never discussed in public is now a worthwhile cause. And we\u2019re determined to get there with the issue of human trafficking, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier last week, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed legislation into law giving TBI original jurisdiction over investigations of human trafficking.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the state legislature approved funding for four Special Agents, who will exclusively investigate human trafficking cases and train law enforcement statewide on recognizing and combating this type of crime.<\/p>\n

Tennessee State Representative Charles Sargent and Senator Bill Ketron sponsored the legislation and made this legislation a top priority in the most recent session, which will enable TBI to dedicate resources to this issue for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time is now,\u201d said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. \u201cLives are at stake at this very moment. We will be the agency \u2013 and the state \u2013 to do everything possible to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

[320left]In recent years, the TBI and Vanderbilt University partnered on in-depth studies to better understand the scope of human trafficking in Tennessee. Both studies are available for review on the TBI\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Last year, as part of its commitment to address this issue, the TBI unveiled a public awareness campaign, entitled \u201cIT Has To Stop,\u201d which includes online resources, public service announcements, and contact information for nonprofits who work with survivors of human trafficking.<\/p>\n

Visit www.ITHasToStop.com<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

Among those arrested and cited for various offenses as part of this week\u2019s operation in Clarksville:<\/strong><\/p>\n