BELL COUNTY, TX — Fifteen people were arrested in connection to a recent Bell County prostitution sting.
The Bell County Sheriff's Department conducted the three-day "anti-sex trafficking operation" starting on May 6 in Killeen.
Nine women were identified as possible sex trafficking victims. Unbound and a refugee service based in Austin will be working with the women to offer help. A representative from Unbound said most of women were eager to receive the nonprofit's services. The youngest victim was 18 years old.
The following ten men where charged with prostitution:
- Bobby Boaldin
- Antonio Hampton
- David Kulhanek
- Melvin Johnson
- William Czebeley
- Christopher Shaw
- Gabriel Gomez
- Omar Cherry
- Roshan Bhakta
- Myles Broadnax
The ten men are accused of paying for a prostitute.
Five people were charged with trafficking-related charged. Cecil Smith, Raymond Steele and Larry Golden, were charged with promotion of prostitution. Billy Shell and Tatyana Clemens, were charged with human trafficking.
Bell County Sheriff Eddy Lange said two of those arrested are active military members and one is a retired military member. Those arrested came from cities around Texas including Killeen, Copperas Cove, Austin, Dallas, Arlington and Goldthwaite.
About a month ago, the Bell County Sheriff's Department unveiled a new website where citizens can report possible human trafficking situations. The website can be used for all crimes, but was designed specifically in mind to stop human trafficking.
Lange said the investigation has led to possible victims in eight different states.
