Undercover operation in JC nets 4 arrests for human trafficking

Four men are behind bars following a two-day undercover human trafficking sting in Johnson City. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, alongside local police and Homeland Security, conducted the operation on October 29th and 30th. Law enforcement used decoy advertisements on websites known for commercial sex, specifically targeting individuals attempting to solicit minors. The suspects—identified as Chad Roberts, Charles Santarpia, Noah Patris, and James Edward Turner—face charges including patronizing the prostitution of a minor. They are currently held at the Washington County Detention Center. Officials say the operation also focused on rescue. One woman arrested during the sting was offered support services through Grow Free Tennessee, an organization dedicated to helping human trafficking survivors.