National Guard chaplain, youth pastor among 18 arrested on human trafficking charges
SPRING HILL, TN (WSMV) - “You don’t ever know what kind of person is going to respond to these ads,” said Spring Hill Police Lt. Justin Whitwell on Monday.
He knows the ins and outs of the two-day joint operation that drew 18 men across Tennessee and neighboring states to Spring Hill. It all starts with an online ad, eliciting sex with a minor, followed by a phone call.
“Eighteen of them took the call and came to the location looking for a 16-year-old female,” said Whitwell.
The 18 men were arrested after they came to an undisclosed Spring Hill location. One of them, Matthew Brewer, is a youth pastor at Fairfield Baptist Church in Hickman County and a chaplain with the Tennessee National Guard.
“This person is a trusted individual in their community, and he was arrested for these charges,” Whitwell said.
The Tennessee Military Department issued a release concerning Brewer's arrest:
"The Tennessee Military Department is aware of the recent arrest of a Tennessee National Guardsman and are fully supporting and assisting civil law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. The charges made in this incident do not reflect or meet the standards of the Tennessee National Guard or the Army Values."
Whitwell said several traveled from out of state.
“Two individuals from Louisiana,” said Whitwell. “One of them was on business. He actually drove five hours just to get to Spring Hill to answer to that ad.”
“The crime continues to flourish,” said Margie Quin, CEO of End Slavery Tennessee and a former TBI special agent who organized sting operations.
“I think when we first started running these operations, we were surprised. I don’t think we’re surprised anymore,” said Quin. “I think these individuals whose preference is children are going to put themselves in a position in life to have access to children.”
Spring Hill Police said it has done a few operations like this in years past. Last year the department arrested around 15 men and they hope to continue to do them annually.
According to a new state law that went into effect July 1, all 18 men will have to serve a full sentence. There is no chance for early parole or release.
The 18 men were arrested and booked them into the Maury County Jail.
The following men were arrested in the undercover operation:
Georgie George (DOB 11/26/95), Clarksville, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Marvin Sparkman (DOB 1/26/92), Columbia, TN: Solicitation of a Minor
Steven McCanless (DOB 1/16/95), Culleoka, TN: Solicitation of a Minor
Ketankumar Patel (DOB 4/5/68), Columbia, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Ivan Ashley (DOB 8/20/71), Dania, FL: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
David Christopher May (DOB 9/25/94), Fayetteville, TN: Solicitation of a Minor
Andrew Myung Kim (DOB 12/2/82), Franklin, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Bryce Lawson (DOB 7/2/97), Charles, LA: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Jeremiah McSpaddin (DOB 1/31/85), Spring Hill, TN: Solicitation of a Minor
Brian Mitchell (DOB 8/5/70), Thompson’s Station, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Nabi Rahman (DOB 3/5/88), Nashville, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Patrick Harris (DOB 4/9/89), Murfreesboro, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Matthew Brewer (DOB 2/27/74), Centerville, TN: Solicitation of a Minor
Suleiman Musa Osman (DOB 1/1/83), Chattanooga, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Juan Gabriel Hernandez Eufracio (DOB 8/29/84), Huntsville, AL: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Pablo Godines Cervantes (DOB 5/17/70), Columbia, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Haojie Wang (DOB 2/25/89), Brentwood, TN: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
Luis Diaz-Mendez (DOB 4/17/94), Baton Rouge, LA: Patronizing Prostitution from a Minor
https://www.wsmv.com/news/national-guard-chaplain-youth-pastor-among-18-arrested-on-human-trafficking-charges/article_206739a8-e30c-11eb-bcf2-07c1f15cbfa5.html?block_id=994460