MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A two-day undercover local, state and federal law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, the seizure of six weapons and nine vehicles, as well as thousands of dollars in cash and illicit drugs.
This investigation was conducted by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit, Memphis Police Department, FBI, and office of the 30th Judicial District Attorney General.
The undercover investigation, aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Memphis area, began on January 21. Undercover officers placed decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. As a result, the following nine men were arrested and booked into the Shelby County Jail.
- Nathan Durham, 46, of Memphis, Tennessee, is being held on a $15,000 bond, charged with two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts, one count of possession with intent (marijuana), three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, and three counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony.
- Doubse Edwards, 55, of Memphis, Tennessee, is being held on a $40,000 bond, charged with two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts, one count of possession with intent (cocaine), and one count of felony possession of methamphetamine.
- Cortez Holloway, 31, of Memphis, Tennessee, is being held on a $5000 bond, charged with one count of promoting prostitution.
- Lironda Knighten, 26, of Marion, Arkansas, is being held on a $20,000 bond, charged with two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts, one count of possession with intent (marijuana), one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony.
- Mark Pitts, 48, of Forrest City, Arkansas, is being held on a $10,000 bond, charged with two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts.
- Thomas Riedmaier, 67, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, is being held on a $7500 bond, charged with two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts.
- Steven Scroggins, 37, of Portland, Arkansas, is being held on a $30,000 bond, charged with two counts of trafficking for commercial sex acts and one count of felony possession of methamphetamine.
- Patrick Watt, 55, of Memphis, Tennessee, is being held on a $15,000 bond, charged with one count of trafficking for commercial sex acts.
- Anthony Wolfe, 52, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, is being held on a $15,000 bond, charged with one count of trafficking for commercial sex acts.
Part of the operation also focused on identifying potential victims of human trafficking. As a result, several women were referred for services.
HSI
