The Sandy Springs Police Department arrested eight metro Atlanta men Jan. 29 and 30 for soliciting prostitution within city limits as a part of its efforts to curb human trafficking.
Sandy Springs Police Sgt. Leon Millholland, a public information officer now working in the street crimes unit, said the department conducted a counter-human trafficking operation Thursday and Friday evening.
“The operation led to eight arrests for a city ordinance violation concerning solicitation for an illicit sexual act,” Millholland said. “Moving forward, there will continue to be operations in order to combat human trafficking within the city of Sandy Springs.”
Sandy Springs police reported the following individuals were arrested: Edwin Hernandez-Aguilar of Mableton; Edgar Vazquez Cruz of Sandy Springs; Branden Michael Reiner Boyd of Columbus; David Luna of Marietta; Cyrus Zeerak of Sandy Springs; Suhuruth Reddy Chada of Marietta; Edwin Crisostomo Reyes of Norcross; and Bailey Garrison Reed of Oakwood.
According to publicly available records, most arrests occurred around the 6300 block of Powers Ferry Road near New Northside Drive in southwest Sandy Springs, just off I-285. The operation involved the SSPD’s street crime and narcotics units.
Some Jan. 30 reports cite 6345 Powers Ferry Road, the Sonesta Atlanta Northwest Galleria hotel, as the location of the arrests.
The Sandy Springs Police Department’s Facebook post credited the Dunwoody Police Department with assistance in “Operation Sandy Springs Guardian.”
Reactions vary widely across the hundreds of posted comments. Some people applauded the work and thanked officers. Others questioned the department’s characterization of the arrests.
The Sandy Springs Police Department said it remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts aimed at combating human trafficking and keeping the community safe.