22 Indicted In Brentwood Human Trafficking Bust

BRENTWOOD, TN — An undercover human trafficking sting conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Brentwood Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Williamson County District Attorney-General resulted in the indictment of 22 men who authorities say attempted to purchase sex from minors.

“Yet again, our collaborative effort proves human trafficking is happening every day in communities across Tennessee,” said Jason Locke, the TBI's deputy director. “For years, our state has led the way in fighting this injustice, and we won’t stop doing whatever we can to send the message that it has to stop.”

In early October, two female TBI agents posed as individuals offering sex on Backpage.com and then, during phone calls or text conversations, identified themselves as 14- and 16-years-old, according to investigators.

“This is, without doubt, a demand-driven crime, involving men from all kinds of backgrounds” said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. “We need more men to stand up and talk honestly about how we got here as a culture and what we need to do to fix it. Unless we’re willing to hold one other accountable, we will continue to see too many people victimized by this kind of crime, with no one to blame but ourselves."

On the operation's final day, male agents responded to other Backpage ads, the TBI said, to identify and recover human trafficking victims. Two women who responded declined services through a nonprofit.

“Educating law enforcement and the public alike on the prevalence of human trafficking in society today has become a priority that requires our attention,” said Brentwood Police Chief Jeff Hughes. “I would like to commend the TBI on conducting this undercover operation, and similar operations around the state, in combating Human Trafficking. The Brentwood Police Department stands ready to work with the TBI and our law enforcement partners to target and arrest those who would promote this type of criminal activity.”

Eleven of the 22 indicted are in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On Monday, the Williamson County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging the 22 men with a variety of offenses. At the time of this release, authorities had arrested nine of the individuals, including:

• Francisco Badillo (DOB 5-12-75, Franklin, Bond: $40,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
• Ibrahim Demyan (DOB 6-4-68, Nashville, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
• Luis Gonzalez-Garcia (DOB 10-7-88, Lewisburg, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
• Terry William Garner (DOB 4-20-74), Columbia, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession of Marijuana, 1 count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Mohamed Hassan (DOB 3-30-75, Spring Hill, Bond: $40,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
• Jeremiah McSpaddin (DOB 1-31-85, Columbia, Bond: $50,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession of Marijuana
• Ajay Kumar Mistry (DOB 6-2-75, Franklin, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
• Jerwon Robinson (DOB 12-4-86, Columbia, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession
• Orozco-Gelacio Navarro (DOB 10-5-17, Held Without Bond): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

“Unfortunately, the results of this joint operation demonstrate the need for continued vigilance for signs of human trafficking in our communities,” Williamson County District Attorney-General Kim Helper said. “The fact that so many men were willing to engage in sexual activity with who they believed to be a 14- and 16-year-old is shocking. Our office will continue to vigorously pursue and prosecute individuals involved in any form of human trafficking.”

All of the individuals were booked into the Williamson County Jail on a variety of bond amounts. More information will be released as further arrests are made

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