JACKSON Tenn (June 8, 2015) – Jackson Police Chief Julian Wiser announced to day that in a multi-agency operation, officers of the Jackson Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department along with State Probation and Parole officers conducted multiple undercover operations through websites arrested thirty-seven people with patronizing prostitution.

Twelve people were arrested for prostitution, four were arrested for promotion of prostitution, and twenty-one were arrested for patronizing prostitution.

“Targeting prostitution also deters associated crimes, such as illegal drug use, illegal drug sales, robberies and assaults,” said Jackson Police Chief Julian Wiser. “During the course of these operations, involved offenders have also been charged with other crimes, such as firearm violations and narcotic violations.”

Today’s technology presents new challenges and opportunities for apprehending and prosecuting offenders who are involved with prostitution, said Investigator Terry Buckley. “Utilizing the web eliminates the need for walking streets and working street corners.”

The June 3 arraignments included Brian Keith Benson, Jarvis James Givens, Joseph Duane Smith, Juan David Miliken, Jayson Elston Edwards, Terry Cooper, Josh Mac Chumney, Anthony Ray Harrison, Michael Terrell Cole, Paul Derrick Elder and Cory Lee Jones, according to court documents.

According to court records, Benson, Edwards, Cooper, Chumney and Cole were arrested on May 13 after using backpage.com to meet an undercover officer in a hotel room in Jackson.  Givens, Smith, Miliken, Harrison and Jones were arrested Jan. 30 after using backpage.com to contact an undercover officer to meet in a Jackson hotel.

Twenty-five of the individuals arrested or who have outstanding warrants live at addresses outside the Jackson city limits.

Twelve of the thirty-seven arrested or who have outstanding warrants have Jackson addresses.