KINGSPORT, TENN. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed on Tuesday afternoon that a youth leader, coach, an emergency medical technician, and an Uber driver are among nearly a dozen men facing felony charges in Kingsport human trafficking case.

According to a release, special agents and local investigators conducted an undercover operation to identify potential victims of human trafficking and arrest those seeking to buy illicit sex from a juvenile. The operation took place between July 31 and August 3. Undercover agents posed as young girls on Backpage.com. As a result,  agents received numerous texts and phone calls from men across Tennessee and surrounding states.

A total of 11 men responded and paid to have sex with an underage girl. As a result, 12 people were charged — 11 men, one woman —  but one has been indicted and has not been arrested.

The TBI says among the men arrested, is Sullivan County youth sports coach and substitute teacher, Brandon R. Summey, of Kingsport, TN. He’s charged with trafficking a person for a commercial sex act, according to the TBI.

According to a report, Jose Alejandro Rivero, of Elizabethton, TN, is a food service worker for Johnson City Schools.

Samuel McMurry, according to the Washington County – Johnson City EMS, is an EMT who was among the men arrested. News Channel 11 was told he is currently on leave without pay. He was charged with trafficking a person for commercial sex act  (felony A) and trafficking a person for commercial sex act (felony b). His bond was set at $100,000.

And according to the TBI, Matthew S. Still, of Jonesborough, TN is a youth minister at a church in Bristol, TN. He’s charged with trafficking a person for commercial sex act  (felony A) and trafficking a person for commercial sex act (felony b), and sexual battery/ His bond was set at $125,000.

The Kingsport anti-trafficking operation called “Operation Someone Like Me” is the 10th kind in the state between the TBI and partner agencies.

“We have no tolerance for those who would victimize the most vulnerable in our society,” says TBI Deputy Director Jason Locke. “We will continue to conduct these operations across the state and do whatever it takes to bring those trafficking women and children, as well as those supplying the demand, to justice.”

Source: WISH