(Media release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation):
Police arrested 14 people in a proactive multi-agency investigative effort targeting sex traffickers and sex buyers in the Northwest Georgia area. The GBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT), the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations & Criminal Investigation Division, the Cartersville Police Department, the Polk County Police Department, and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the operation. Police offered resources to 9 sex workers.
Police arrested and charged the following people:
- Lakisha Montera Watkins, age 43, of Rome, GA, charged with pimping.
- Danny Williams, age 59, of Hudson, FL, charged with pandering.
- Kyefahn Brittain, age 44, of Stockbridge, GA, charged with pandering.
- Bobby Cannon, age 31, of McDonough, GA, charged with pandering.
- Nivanshu Mahajan, age 22, of Cartersville, GA, charged with pandering.
- James Hallock, age 50, of Temple, GA, charged with pandering.
- Brandon Treglown, age 32, of Evans, GA, charged with pandering.
- Andrew Frey, age 37, of Acworth, GA, charged with pandering.
- Christopher Smith, age 39, of Dallas, GA, charged with pandering.
- Richie Digsby, age 51, of Lindale, GA, charged with pandering.
- David Webb, age 48, of Columbus, GA, charged with pandering.
- Jordyn Freeman, age 31, of Cartersville, GA, charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
- Aaron Sands, age 51, of Cartersville, GA, charged with Criminal Attempt at Child Molestation.
Additional charges and arrests may follow.
“Operation Etowah Exploits” involved months of planning and the collaboration of several law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking. The arrestees, ranging in age from 22 to 59, traveled from areas around Bartow County, GA, with the intent to purchase sex or sell sex.
The goal of “Operation Etowah Exploits” was to draw in sex buyers for demand reduction and draw in sex workers to offer services. The objective was to identify and arrest pimps and human traffickers through this two-fold approach. The Kennesaw State University Human Trafficking Mobile Medical Unit assisted with the operation as well as the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) by providing resources to the victims.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI’s HEAT Unit at 404-270-8433, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations & Criminal Investigation Division at 770-607-1169, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office at 770-382-5050, or the Cartersville Police Department at 770-382-2526. All forms of human trafficking should be reported to Georgia’s statewide human trafficking hotline, 1-866-ENDHTGA. Trained law enforcement agents, advocates, and first responders are available 24/7 to answer calls.
