Johnson City, TN (WOKI) – Four men have been arrested following a two-day undercover operation aimed at combating human trafficking and identifying individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors in the Johnson City area.
The operation was conducted October 29 and 30 by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit, the Johnson City Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
According to investigators, authorities placed decoy advertisements on websites commonly associated with prostitution and commercial sex activity. The primary goal of the operation was to identify individuals attempting to arrange sexual encounters with minors.
As a result of the investigation, four men were arrested and booked into the Washington County Detention Center:
- Chad A. Roberts, 38, of Kingsport: Charged with one count of Solicitation of a Minor and one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor.
- Charles O. Santarpia, 28, of Johnson City: Charged with one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor.
- Noah B. Patris, 32, of Johnson City: Charged with one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor.
- James Edward Turner, 29, of Kingsport: Charged with one count of Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor and one count of Evading Arrest.
Investigators said another component of the operation focused on locating and assisting potential victims of human trafficking. During that effort, a woman taken into custody was offered services through Grow Free Tennessee, a program of the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking that helps connect survivors and victims with support resources.
Law enforcement agencies routinely conduct these operations as part of broader efforts to combat human trafficking, reduce the commercial sex trade, and protect children from sexual exploitation.
Officials emphasized that all charges are allegations at this stage of the legal process. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The TBI encourages anyone who suspects human trafficking activity to report it by calling the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH. Additional information about human trafficking awareness and prevention efforts is available through the state’s public awareness campaign at http://ITHasToStop.com.
