More than 40 people were arrested in a three-day long human trafficking sting in Memphis, including former MATA CEO Ron Garrison.
Authorities from various agencies took part in the operation, which they said was the biggest one yet.
“The number of men who responded to our ads this week was staggering," said TBI Deputy Director Jason Locke.
For three days, TBI agents posed online as teenage and adult prostitutes in order to arrest men seeking those services. Approximately 475 people reached out to them.
“We’re seeing this issue in our urban areas. We’re seeing it in our rural areas and I think part of the reason is it’s gone on and unaddressed for so long," said TBI Director Mark Gwyn.