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Police said Tyree Walker, 36, of Macon, Ga., is charged with trafficking for sexual servitude and
marijuana possession. He's being held on a $52,000 bond.
The two girls working for him were from Macon, Ga., and Norfolk, Va., according to authorities.
Investigators said the suspects advertised sexual services on the Internet. Undercover
detectives responded to an ad and arranged a meeting at the Comfort Inn and Suites Motel on
Elm Hill Pike. After the teens agreed to perform sex acts for money, they were taken into
custody, police said.
Mike McSurdy of Crisis Services of Nashville identifies the teens' actions as survival sex.
"They are able to, in some way, ensure they have a roof over their head and they, at least for
the moment, feel like there is someone who cares about them," McSurdy said.
McSurdy helps teens like this every year and said there's always hope.
"The younger they are, the more they're able to reach out and get help, and families are more
able to say, 'Come back. Let's look at this. What happened?'" he said.
Police said these girls' parents didn't know the teens had gone to Tennessee with Walker.
"The one parent was shocked about the situation," said Detective Matthew Dixon. "They thought
their daughter was in their hometown, and the other didn't even know where their daughter
was."
McSurdy said most of these teens come from abusive homes, but that it can happen to any child.
The best thing a parent can do is pay attention and stay involved, he said.
"Who are your kids' friends? How are they getting money? What are they doing to get money?
(Pay attention to) changes in behavior, attitudes or grades," McSurdy said.
marijuana possession. He's being held on a $52,000 bond.
The two girls working for him were from Macon, Ga., and Norfolk, Va., according to authorities.
Investigators said the suspects advertised sexual services on the Internet. Undercover
detectives responded to an ad and arranged a meeting at the Comfort Inn and Suites Motel on
Elm Hill Pike. After the teens agreed to perform sex acts for money, they were taken into
custody, police said.
Mike McSurdy of Crisis Services of Nashville identifies the teens' actions as survival sex.
"They are able to, in some way, ensure they have a roof over their head and they, at least for
the moment, feel like there is someone who cares about them," McSurdy said.
McSurdy helps teens like this every year and said there's always hope.
"The younger they are, the more they're able to reach out and get help, and families are more
able to say, 'Come back. Let's look at this. What happened?'" he said.
Police said these girls' parents didn't know the teens had gone to Tennessee with Walker.
"The one parent was shocked about the situation," said Detective Matthew Dixon. "They thought
their daughter was in their hometown, and the other didn't even know where their daughter
was."
McSurdy said most of these teens come from abusive homes, but that it can happen to any child.
The best thing a parent can do is pay attention and stay involved, he said.
"Who are your kids' friends? How are they getting money? What are they doing to get money?
(Pay attention to) changes in behavior, attitudes or grades," McSurdy said.
Two 17 year old girls arrested for prostitution August 31, 2010