Two Houston County men charged with misdemeanor pimping in nationwide sting

WARNER ROBINS -- Two Houston County men each were arrested last week on a misdemeanor charge of pimping in connection with a nationwide law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking.

In a sting spearheaded by the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 149 underage trafficking victims were recovered and 153 alleged pimps were arrested as a part of “Operation Cross Country IX,” according to an FBI news release.

In Georgia, as part of the nationwide effort, FBI officials announced that seven child victims were recovered and nine people were arrested, including those from Houston County.

Although the operation targeted the pimping of minors, the two Houston County men arrested are accused of pimping adult women, Perry police Capt. Heath Dykes said.

Christopher J. Pudwill, 30, of Kathleen and Billy Dewayne Denson, 40, of Warner Robins each were arrested on a charge of pimping, which is a high and aggravated misdemeanor, Dykes said.

The men are accused of arranging for women to go to Perry-area hotels to engage in prostitution, Dykes said. Four women also were arrested by Perry police on misdemeanor prostitution charges.

Operation Cross Country is part of the FBI’s Innocence Lost national initiative, which began in 2003. Since the program’s inception, more than 4,800 children have been recovered from underage prostitution. Prosecutors have obtained more than 2,000 convictions, including at least 15 that have resulted in life sentences, according to the FBI news release.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.