24 Arrested in Houston County Sex Trafficking Sting

GBI-led operation identified 13 women as trafficking victims, who were referred to advocacy resources instead of being charged.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:07pm

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A two-day undercover sting operation led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) resulted in 24 arrests at a Warner Robins hotel in March. The Houston County Sheriff's Office participated in the operation, handling surveillance, takedowns, and command and control. Of the 24 arrested, 18 face pandering charges for soliciting paid sex and 3 are charged with pimping. The 13 women found at the hotel were identified as trafficking victims and referred to advocacy resources instead of being charged.

Why it matters

This operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat sex trafficking in Georgia, with law enforcement shifting their approach to view women involved in these situations more as victims than criminals. The high number of arrests also underscores the prevalence of the issue, even in smaller communities like Warner Robins.

The details

The GBI's Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) unit approached the Houston County Sheriff's Office a few months prior to conduct the operation. The sheriff's office's warrant division and narcotics unit joined in the participation. Suspects traveled from across Georgia, including Macon, Perry, Warner Robins, Byron, Hawkinsville and Ball Ground. The women found at the hotel were not charged, as law enforcement now identifies them more as victims of sex trafficking rather than criminals.

  • The operation, called 'Operation Rockin' Robins', ran from March 4 to March 6, 2026.

The players

Matt Moulton

Houston County Sheriff who said this was the first operation the Houston County Sheriff's Office conducted with the GBI since he took office, and vowed it would not be the last.

Dwana Williams

Director of the Freedom Collective, a national trafficking advocacy organization with a chapter in Middle Georgia, who said the issue hits closer to home than many residents realize.

GBI

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation led the undercover sting operation that resulted in the 24 arrests.

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What they’re saying

“I was really surprised by the number of arrests that were made, with there being 24 in a two-day period.”

— Matt Moulton, Houston County Sheriff

“I talk to people all the time that just cannot believe that something like this is happening in Middle Georgia, in Warner Robins, in Macon — but it is.”

— Dwana Williams, Director of the Freedom Collective

What’s next

The Houston County Sheriff's Office plans to send deputies to training to conduct online chat investigations independently, expanding the department's capability beyond joint operations with the GBI.

The takeaway

This operation demonstrates law enforcement's evolving approach to sex trafficking, focusing more on identifying and supporting victims rather than criminalizing them. It also underscores the prevalence of this issue, even in smaller communities, and the ongoing efforts to combat it.