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ATHENS-Last week, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and the Athens Police Department – Alabama conducted a joint operation focused on identifying, investigating, and arresting predators seeking to commit illegal sex acts with children.
We made ten arrests in this operation. These offenders targeted and solicited who they believed to be children but were undercover law enforcement officers. These predators found our undercover officers in chat rooms, on social media (specifically Snapchat), and other online portals.
The 10 individuals we arrested during this operation are as follows:
1. Barry Louvert Knight Jr. 23 years old of Madison, AL Held on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
2. Cederick Lamar White 40 years old of Athens, AL Held on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
3. Ladi Antiono Hernandez 26 years old of Indian Town, FL Released on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
4. Enrique Marquez Hipolito 23 years old of Decatur, AL Release on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
5. Raul Aguilar Martinez 36 years old of Decatur, AL Released on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
6. Brandon Lee Smith 28 years old of Prospect, TN Released on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
7. Daevid Marcelius Williams 34 years old of Huntsville, AL Released on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
8. Jakobe Ray Fields 22 years old of Muscle Shoals, AL Released on $200,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
9. Trinton Obryan Bouldin 19 of Huntsville, AL Released on $201,000 bond
• Attempted Human Trafficking 1st degree
• Electronic Solicitation of a child
• Traveling to meet a Child for an unlawful sex act
• Possession of Marijuana 2nd degree
10. Tavian Lamont Douglas 18 of Huntsville, AL Released on $2,500 bond
• Public Intoxication
• Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement
• Possession of Marijuana 2nd degree
Parents, we implore you to get involved in your child’s digital life. The devices you permit them to have provide them with direct access to the world, and the world gains direct access to them. Don’t let them be victims by being exposed to extreme evil at such a young and influential age. These offenders agreed to pay to engage in sexual acts with children and then traveled to designated locations in Limestone County to commit these sex crimes.
Why are we doing this work? Because human trafficking, often called modern-day slavery, is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world. Each year, 100,000 to 300,000 American children are at risk of being trafficked for commercial sex in the United States. The average age for a girl to enter the commercial sex trade is 12-14 years old, while boys are even younger at 11-13 years old.
If you suspect that a person may be a victim of human trafficking, call local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hot Line at 1-888-373-7888.
You should never attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or rescue a suspected victim. Doing so could put you and the victim’s safety at risk. By immediately informing law enforcement of your suspicions, you can safely assist in the recovery of the victim and the dismantling of the trafficking operation. If you’d like more information on Human Trafficking in Alabama, please visit END IT ALABAMA at www.enditalabama.org.
Media Release/Limestone County Sheriff’s Department
