From The Tribune staff reports
TUSCALOOSA — An undercover operation resulted in 14 arrests in Tuscaloosa over the weekend.
The operation, which focused on prostitution in the Tuscaloosa area, was conducted by investigators with the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force and the Tuscaloosa Police Department’s Juvenile Division.
Officers arrested 14 people on a total of 19 charges. Seven of the charges were Class A and Class B felonies.
“The officers working this detail did an outstanding job on these cases,” said Lt. Darren Beams, commander of the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, in a news release. “Operations like these are crucial in the fight to prevent human trafficking from happening in our area.”
Isabel Ricardo Velasquez, 35, of Northport, was charged with traveling to meet a minor for a sex act and electronic solicitation of a child. He is being held on $65,000 bond.
Billy H. Jones, 43, of Northport, is also held on $65,000 bond after being charged with traveling to meet a minor for a sex act and electronic solicitation of a child.
Keuntai M. Herrod, 31, of Tuscaloosa, was charged with traveling to meet a minor for a sex act, transmitting obscene material to a child and electronic solicitation of a child. His bonds were set at $85,000.
Eleven others were charged with soliciting prostitution.