Five Athens Arrests in International Child Sex Trafficking Bust

ATHENS, GA — Five people were arrested in Athens last week as part of an international effort to crack down on child sex trafficking.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with representatives from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and several law enforcement partners, announced 82 minors were rescued and 239 traffickers and their associates were arrested as part of Operation Cross Country X.

The operation, which ran Oct. 13-15, was an international effort focusing on underage human trafficking. This is the 10th iteration of FBI-led initiative which took place across the United States and, for the first time, in several countries around the world.

Law enforcement partners from Cambodia, Canada, the Philippines and Thailand had operations in their respective countries.

"Operation Cross Country aims to shine a spotlight into the darkest corners of our society that seeks to prey on the most vulnerable of our population," said FBI Director James Comey. "As part of this effort, we are not only looking to root out those who engage in the trafficking of minors, but, through our Office of Victim Assistance, we offer a lifeline to minors to help them escape a from a virtual prison no person ever deserves."

In Athens, the Operation Cross County arrests were of people "traveling in furtherance of having sex with a child." They were:

• Jennings B. Summerour, 66, of Athens
• Harold C. Williams, 47, of Stephens
• Joshua P. Harkins, 29, of Habersham
• Randy E. Ash, 35, of Winder
• Mohammed Nihal Patel, 22, of Eatonton

Operations took place in a number of locations, including hotels, truck stops and street corners. Minors recovered during an arrest are engaged with state protective services and victim assistance.

Depending on the level of need, a law enforcement officer and, if available, an FBI victim specialist will accompany the survivor to obtain these services.

Any adult arrested pursuant to state charges will be processed by state and local law enforcement partners assisting in the operation.

As part of Operation Cross Country X in Georgia, Atlanta FBI’s Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation Task Force (MATCH) conducted two search warrants, seized seven firearms, recovered one juvenile victim in Lake City, arrested 15 pimps/traffickers as well as 54 adult prostitutes.

In addition, and as part of this operation, two fugitives were apprehended in Atlanta: Lee Coleman III, 26, of Apopka, Florida, and Karla Michelle Quiros-Alsina, 20, of Orlando.

Both had warrants out for their arrest in connection to a 14-year-old juvenile who was found dead from a drug overdose.

They were arrested after this operation developed a lead that appeared to have them offering the services of juveniles.

While there were no juveniles present, full identification was made on both adults, as they were flagged with warrants related to first-degree murder, human trafficking of a child, procuring a minor for prostitution, racketeering and possession and transmission of child pornography.

They, along with two other individuals, are alleged to have trafficked two juvenile females (14 and 15 years old), forcing them into prostitution and providing them with drugs. The younger girl was later found dead of an overdose.

“Child sex trafficking is a global problem and we must throw every resource we can at combating it,” said NCMEC Director John Clark. “All of us at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are proud to work side by side with the FBI and their law enforcement partners as we work tirelessly every day to find and rescue child victims and while ensuring that those responsible for this horrible crime are held accountable.

Patch's Kristal Dixon contributed to this report.

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