KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – A missing North Carolina child was found during a human trafficking sting operation in Knox County Tuesday.
Timothy King, Jesse McMinn and Tabitha Banks were arrested during the operation at a Holiday Inn in Knoxville at 9143 Executive Park Drive.
Investigators found an advertisement on Backpage.com. After contacting McMinn, an undercover detective made an appointment for a “two girl special.”
The undercover detective agreed to pay $340 for an hour. The detective was told while McMinn and Banks were “providing services” King would be their security.
During the arrest, investigators found a missing 16-year-old girl inside King’s car. The teen was missing from Asheville, North Carolina. She is currently being reunited with family.
Also, investigators found $2,708 on King. Banks claimed that some of the money was her’s.
King faces charges for human trafficking. McMinn and Banks face charges for prostitution.
Also arrested in the sting was:
Kyra Fultz, 20, from Hickory who was charged with prostitution and simple possession.
Rian O’Quinn, 25 from Knoxville was charged with prostitution and simple possession.
Kayla Inmate, 25 from Rockwood, was charged with prostitution.
Anthony Vaughan from Acworth, Georgia was charged with criminal impersonation and will be extradited to Georgia for being a fugitive from justice on a violation of probation.
Two others were arrested on prostitution charges: Samantha Stransky, 28, of Knoxville and 29 year old Amanda Kosis from Detroit, Michigan. She is wanted on a vehicular homicide charge in Detroit.
