A two-day operation targeting online child predators in Madison County led to the arrest of an Albertville man.
Michael Stevens, 22, of Albertville was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree human trafficking, two counts of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and two counts of Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
In total, nine men were arrested and are facing almost 40 charges combined.
Marco Elias, 31, Gulfport, Texas, was charged with two counts of first-degree human trafficking, two counts of Electronic Solicitation of a Child and two counts of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act.
Floyd Corey Powell Jr., 31, Harvest, was charged with first-degree human trafficking, distribute/transmit obscene material to a child by an electronic device, Electronic Solicitation of a Child and traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act.
Michael Fike, 53, Somerville, was charged with first-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
Shivam Patel, 23, Muscle Shoals, was charged with two counts of first-degree human trafficking, two counts of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and two counts of Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
Julio Juan, 29, Decatur was charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, First-degree human trafficking and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
Gilmar Huinac, 45, of Carthage, Mo., was charged with First-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
Elmer Sarmiento, 32, Huntsville, was charged with First-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
Bryan Nde, 27, Huntsville, was charged with first-degree human trafficking, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.
The two-day operation was Thursday and Friday of last week and was combined efforts from the Huntsville Police Department, Madison County District Attorney’s Office, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Covenant Rescue Group.
According to officials the suspects solicited and targeted decoys that were believed to be minors on social media platforms and in online chat rooms.
The men reportedly agreed to pay for sexual acts with minors and traveled in Huntsville to designated locations.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty, but officials are confident there will be probable cause showing the men committed these crimes.
All suspects were booked into the Madison County Jail and held without bond.