JOHNSON CITY – An undercover operation by special agents with TBI’s Human Trafficking Unit, the Johnson City Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations has resulted in the arrest of four men.
On October 29th and 30th, investigators conducted an operation aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Johnson City area. Decoy advertisements were placed on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex, with the primary focus being to identify individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors. As a result, the following individuals were arrested and booked into the Washington County Detention Center.
Chad A. Roberts (DOB: 01/26/88), Kingsport: one count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
Charles O. Santarpia (DOB: 10/12/98), Johnson City: one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
Noah B. Patris (DOB:10/08/94), Johnson City: one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor
James Edward Turner (DOB: 02/27/97), Kingsport: one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor and one count of Evading Arrest
Another part of the operation focused on identifying potential victims of human trafficking. A female arrested during that portion of the operation was offered services through Grow Free Tennessee, a program of the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
Information about human trafficking and TBI’s efforts to address this type of crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com. Anyone can report a suspected case of human trafficking by calling the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.
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