Pimping, sex trafficking investigation leads to multiple arrests in Macon, officials say
An online undercover sex-trafficking investigation in Macon resulted in 13 arrests, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday.
The investigation, named Operation Macon Plays, involved multiple agencies and targeted sex traffickers and commercial sex buyers in Bibb County to “reduce the demand for commercial sex by identifying and drawing in commercial sex buyers,” the GBI said. The GBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit worked on the investigation with Homeland Security Investigations, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol.
“The objective was to identify and arrest pimps and human traffickers through this two-fold approach,” the GBI said.
The agencies arrested:
- Georgia Marie Emmons, 37, of Americus. She was charged with pimping and providing false identification to law enforcement. Emmons also had two unrelated outstanding warrants, according to the GBI.
- Darrell Lee Gillis, 33, of Macon. He was charged with pimping.
- Anthony Ramond Bowens, 27, of Macon. He was charged with prostitution and violating parole.
- Suhntain Naurice Griffin, 45, of Macon. He was charged with providing false identification to law enforcement.
- Bobby Darien Harden, Jr., 33, of Macon. Although related to the investigation, Harden was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant.
- Thomesha Armstrong, 33, of Macon. She was charged with possessing marijuana, cocaine and controlled substance.
They also arrested Johntaz Bryant, 37, of Macon; Torri Vontrea Walton, 37, of Macon; Clinton Cardiable Harris, 54, of Columbus; Cecilio Gabriel Lopez Hernandez, 34, of Macon; Jose Alfredo Cruiz, 32, of Blackshear; Loc Tan Nguyen, 49, of Macon; and Mark Alan Gunter, 61, of Rincon. They all allegedly traveled with the intent to purchase sex and were arrested and charged with pandering.
The GBI advised that additional charges and arrests may follow. Eleven commercial sex workers were offered medical services and community-related resources, the GBI said.
Operation Macon Plays was still an active investigation, and anyone with information was encouraged to contact GBI’s HEAT unit at 404-270-8433 or the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500. All forms of human trafficking should be reported to Georgia’s statewide human trafficking hotline, which is 1-866-ENDHTGA, where trained law enforcement agents, advocates and first responders are available 24/17, the GBI said.
