An East Tennessee law enforcement sting has led to charges against six men accused of trafficking and sex crimes, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities put out decoy advertisements last month "known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases," according to the agency Tuesday.
TBI sometimes takes part with other area agencies in such operations to catch men interested in sex with minors.
The men charged:
*Matthew Jason Cohen, 42, of Maryville. Charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act.
*Steven Lawrence Kobylski, 33, of Decatur, Tenn. Charged with soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor.
*James Stephen Stinnett, 37, of Madisonville. Charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act.
*Anthony Cornelius Baylis, 37, Harriman. Charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act.
*Joshua James Thomas, 32, Tellico Plains. Charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act.
*Pedro Juan Berenguer Torres, 50, Powell. Charged with trafficking for a commercial sex act.
Agencies taking part in the investigation: The TBI's Human Trafficking Unit, the Sweetwater Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the 10th Judicial District Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the office of 10th District Attorney General Steve Crump.