Henry County prostitution sting nabs teacher, law enforcement officers

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A teacher at Luella High School in Henry County is on administrative leave after being arrested in what police are calling a prostitution sting. Four others were also arrested, two of whom were law enforcement officers.

Former students at Luella High School said he taught them math years ago, and they were disgusted and disappointed to hear of his arrest.

“We want to stop the pandering, we want to stop the sex trafficking, we want to stop the prostitution,“ said Henry County Investigator Richard Bias. He says Operation Johns and Bonds helped.

The joint operation with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reached potential “Johns,” or prostitution customers, online and arranged to meet at a Henry County apartment complex on Sept. 25.

“As soon as they knock on the door, they come in, they know what they’re there for. They say whatever the investigator is looking for, and they’re arrested there on the spot,“ said Bias.

The operation led to five men in total being arrested.

The Henry County School District sent a letter to Luella High School families saying they were aware of the arrest.

“This type of incident is taken seriously by our school and district, and the employee has been placed on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation,” the district said.

They also informed parents, “There is no indication the employee’s arrest has anything to do with his role at Luella High School.”

Also arrested were a jailer in Clarke County and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent.

Bias says that while pandering is considered a misdemeanor, the nature of the crime makes it especially offensive for a teacher and members of law enforcement.

“It’s like, ‘Hey, we arrest people for doing this every day, and you investigate people doing this every day and you’re involved in this,’” said Bias.

Police say a female victim was also recovered during this operation and given immediate medical attention.

Bias says these operations will continue because sex trafficking remains a major concern in Henry County and beyond.

“We know we’re not going to stop it, but we’re definitely going to try to slow it down some,” said Bias.

Bias said they’ve made 30 arrests for pandering since July.

All five of those arrested in this operation bonded out, and their court dates have not yet been set.