Six Arrested For Solicitation In Tuscaloosa Undercover Operation

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force on Wednesday announced the arrests of six men attempting to solicit commercial sex.

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Tuscaloosa Police Department Sgt. Scott Herron, assistant commander of the Task Force, said the arrests were made after the suspects responded to an online ad placed by undercover officers, arrived at the predetermined location and offered money in exchange for sex.

He then said the task force regularly conducts similar operations to combat the demand for commercial sex, which contributes to human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

“Operations like these are critical in reducing the demand for commercial sex, which fuels human trafficking and forced prostitution,” he said. “Our goal is to make people think twice before engaging in this illegal activity and to protect those who are being exploited.”

The six suspects were charged with soliciting prostitution — a Class A misdemeanor — and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on $300 bond:

• Calab Deontrai Frierson, 39, of Duncanville
• John Rich Norris III, 41, of Northport
• Marlon Dewayne Powell, 32, of Demopolis
• Armani Dominick Sowell, 21, of Tuscaloosa
• Elias Ramos Velasquez, 24, of Tuscaloosa
• Aaron Cory Sweeney, 39, of Northport

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