McMinn County, TN (WOKI) – A year-long investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit has resulted in the indictment and arrest of a McMinn County man on human trafficking and money laundering charges.
According to the TBI, agents launched an investigation in March 2025 after receiving a tip alleging that Exzayveon Smith, born February 6, 2001, was involved in human trafficking activities in the McMinn County area.
The investigation led to action by the McMinn County Grand Jury, which returned indictments on September 15, charging Smith with one count of Trafficking for Commercial Sex Acts and one count of Money Laundering.
Authorities located Smith on October 7 in Bullhead City, Arizona. With assistance from the Bullhead City Police Department, he was taken into custody and booked into the Mohave County Jail in Kingman, Arizona.
Officials said Smith is currently awaiting extradition to Tennessee, where he will face the charges. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
The TBI encourages anyone with information about suspected human trafficking to contact the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH. Additional information about human trafficking prevention and awareness is available through the state’s anti-trafficking campaign at ITHasToStop.com.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against Smith are allegations at this stage. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
