An undercover human trafficking sting in Brentwood led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation resulted in the indictments of 22 men.

“Yet again, our collaborative effort proves human trafficking is happening every day in communities across Tennessee,” said Jason Locke, Deputy Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. “For years, our state has led the way in fighting this injustice, and we won’t stop doing whatever we can to send the message that it has to stop.”

Crews with the TBI, Brentwood Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the office of 21st District Attorney General Kim Helper helped with the operation.

During the first three days of the operation that happened in early October, two female TBI agents offered sex on Backpage.com. In text or phone conversations stemming from the Backpage post, the agents identfied themselves as 14 and 16-year-old girls. According to the TBI, the men who were undeterred from their posed ages and still went to meet the agents for sex included a computer programmer, automotive engineer, construction worker, and a chef.

“This is, without doubt, a demand-driven crime, involving men from all kinds of backgrounds” said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. “We need more men to stand up and talk honestly about how we got here as a culture and what we need to do to fix it. Unless we’re willing to hold one other accountable, we will continue to see too many people victimized by this kind of crime, with no one to blame but ourselves.”

On the fourth day of the sting, undercover male agents responded to Backpage.com ads in an effort to identify and recover victims of human trafficking. Investigators said two women responded, but declined services offered through a nonprofit agency.

As of Thursday morning, 11 of the 22 men involved in the sting remain in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“ICE/HSI is proud to once again partner with TBI on this important effort,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI’s efforts in Tennessee. “Apprehending illegal aliens who seek to prey on our youth in Tennessee remains a top priority. ICE/HSI stands ready to provide the appropriate protections to the victims of this form of modern-day slavery.”

The Williamson County Grand Jury returned indictments Monday, charging the 22 men with different offenses. At the time of TBI's press conference Thursday, authorities had arrested nine of the men facing charges.

Francisco Badillo (DOB 5-12-75, Franklin, Bond: $40,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

Ibrahim Demyan (DOB 6-4-68, Nashville, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

Luis Gonzalez-Garcia (DOB 10-7-88, Lewisburg, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

Terry William Garner (DOB 4-20-74), Columbia, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession of Marijuana, 1 count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Mohamed Hassan (DOB 3-30-75, Spring Hill, Bond: $40,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

Jeremiah McSpaddin (DOB 1-31-85, Columbia, Bond: $50,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 1 count Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession of Marijuana

Ajay Kumar Mistry (DOB 6-2-75, Franklin, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

Jerwon Robinson (DOB 12-4-86, Columbia, Bond: $30,000): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor, 1 count Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, 1 count Simple Possession

Orozco-Gelacio Navarro (DOB 10-5-17, Held Without Bond): 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class A Felony), 1 count Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor (Class B Felony), 2 counts Patronizing Prostitution, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Aggravated Statutory Rape, 2 counts Solicitation to Commit Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor

“Unfortunately, the results of this joint operation demonstrate the need for continued vigilance for signs of human trafficking in our communities,” said 21st District Attorney General Kim Helper. “The fact that so many men were willing to engage in sexual activity with who they believed to be a 14- and 16-year-old is shocking. Our office will continue to vigorously pursue and prosecute individuals involved in any form of human trafficking.”

Information about warning signs, Tennessee's trafficking statute, state-specific research, and a list of nonprofits working across the state trying to help trafficking victims can be found