TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Multiple suspects were arrested following a recent sting operation that was conducted by the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force at a local hotel.
Captain Phil Simpson says his team will not tolerate these crimes which is why they continue to do these sting operations — to apprehend suspects involved in human trafficking offenses.
“If you engage in commercial sex or what lots of people call prostitution with a person that is under the age of 19, it automatically becomes human trafficking,” Simpson said. “You can not pay for sex or exchange something of value for sex with a person under the age of 19 and it not be human trafficking.”
Huey Harris says his staff at the Sure Stay Hotel in Tuscaloosa are always on the lookout for human traffickers who might try to commit their crimes at his hotel. In 2018, Harris completed a class taught by Tuscaloosa Police on how to spot sex crimes.
“We are on high alert and we are not going to tolerate any human trafficking here,” Harris said. “We want to make this city as safe as it can possibly be by kicking these bad boys out and don’t come to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.”
The following eight suspects were arrested during the most recent sting operation according to a Thursday press release from the agency:
- Joe Oliver German, 48, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $1,000
- Demetrice Quintell Doss, 34, was charged with soliciting prostitution and first-degree possession of marijuana. Bond was set at $8,500.
- Shontrey Markeith Spencer, 27, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $1,000.
- Earlethus Cadarius Blackmon, 29, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $1,000.
- Manoah Jerah Williams Tippett, 37, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $1,000.
- Gary Leon Harris, 43, was arrested for soliciting prostitution, first-degree possession of marijuana, tax stamp required and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Bond was set at $31,000.
- Maurice Rayshaun Carr, 41, was charged with first-degree human trafficking. Bond was set at $60,000.
- Ricky Alan Cavanaugh, 63, was charged with first-degree human trafficking. Bond was set at $60,000.
The following suspects have been charged in relation to a separate investigation involving an underage victim, per the release. The investigation began in May and led to the following arrests:
- Ryan Desean Wilder, 29, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $6,000.
- Frank White III, 51, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $6,000.
- Keeric Keshawn Wills, 26, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $6,000.
- Landon Avant Hagler, 30, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $6,000.
- Timothy Ray Jordan, 60, was charged with soliciting prostitution. Bond was set at $6,000.
- Andrew Wayne Price, 27, was charged with third-degree promoting prostitution. Bond was set at $6,000.
- Donald Scott Johnson, 41, was charged by the Moundville Police Department with first-degree human trafficking. He was held with no bond under Aniah’s Law.
According to Captain Simpson, human trafficking is a Class A felony and those convicted can serve up to 20 years to life in prison.
