An undercover human trafficking operation in Hendersonville by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s specialized unit on June 11 and 12 ended with five men in custody and nine possible victims identified, according to authorities. The two-day sting in Sumner County focused on people suspected of arranging or paying for commercial sex, and those arrested were booked into the Sumner County Jail on charges tied to promoting prostitution.
The men arrested were identified as Duany Rodriguez‑Pena (of Cape Coral, Fla.; bond set at $80,000), Alinson Ramirez (of La Vergne; $60,000), Lazaro Rodriguez‑Santos (of Miami; $82,000), Kasin Barnes (of Gallatin; $1,000,000), and Christopher Torres (of Hendersonville; $750,000). Investigators said they connected nine possible victims located during the operation with local support services. These details were disclosed by investigators, as reported by FOX17.
Victim support and services
Officials said the individuals identified during the sting were linked with local victim-service providers, including Thistle Farms. The organization operates residential programs, counseling, and employment opportunities for survivors. Thistle Farms describes its model as combining long-term residential care with job training and counseling to help women rebuild their lives after exploitation, according to Thistle Farms. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also publishes statewide resources and a hotline for reporting suspected human trafficking, per the bureau’s public information.
Nonprofits joined law enforcement on site
Two additional victim-assistance groups, Skull Games and Our Rescue, were on site during the operation to offer immediate help and referrals. Investigators said the multi-agency effort relied on nonprofit partners to ensure that anyone identified as a possible victim could be offered services quickly. FOX17 reported the groups’ presence during the sting.
What the charges mean
The five men face charges of promoting prostitution, an offense in Tennessee that is generally treated as a felony. Tennessee Code Annotated §39-13-515 defines promoting prostitution and outlines enhanced penalties when the person promoted is a minor or has an intellectual disability; the statute also specifies that consent is not a defense, as reflected in the state code. Readers can review the statute on Justia.
Next steps and how to report
All five suspects were booked into the Sumner County Jail and remain in custody while investigators continue their work, and prosecutors review the cases. Anyone with information related to potential trafficking can contact the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-558-6484 or submit tips online. The TBI’s human trafficking page lists reporting options and survivor resources, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
