By Jeff Devine
Seven people were taken into custody following a two-day undercover operation targeting human trafficking in the Wiregrass region, according to Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum.
The operation, known as “Operation Nutcracker,” was conducted online and focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in illegal sexual activity with minors in exchange for money. Authorities say the suspects believed they were arranging meetings with underage girls.
The men arrested have not yet been publicly identified.
Though the arresting agencies have not released the names of those arrested during this operation, the Dale County Chronicle has investigated the matter and found several men who are being held in jail on sex trafficking charges. These include Justin Travis Westerbrook, age 35, booked on December 19, and charged with Human Trafficking in the 1st Degree; David Michael Sanders, age 45 and booked on Dec. 20, charged with Human Trafficking in the 1st Degree; Emmett Reed Jones, age 40, booked on Dec. 21, and charged with Human Trafficking in the 1st Degree; and Hunter Erik Bedsole, age 20, booked on Dec. 21, and charged with Human Trafficking in the 1st Degree. While it is not officially confirmed, these individuals are part of the Dale County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Operation Nutcracker, and they have all been charged with the same crimes.
Once we receive more details from the DCSO, we will update the article with full details.
The Dale County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the FBI, the Alabama Fusion Center, and local law enforcement from Enterprise, Dothan, Ozark, and Coffee County.
*It is the general policy to include the following statement on all news reports involving arrests: in our criminal justice system, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The images below are of inmates who have recently been arrested by the Dale County Sheriff’s Office and charged with human trafficking, the crime Operation Nutcracker focused on. When we receive confirmation that these men are the ones arrested during Operation Nutcracker, we will provide an update.
Hunter Erik Bedsole is charged with Human Trafficking in the First Degree and is being held without bond at the Dale County Jail. Dale County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is the arresting agency. Image courtesy of Dale County Jail.
Justin Travis Westbrook is being held without bond at the Dale County Jail and has also been charged with Human Trafficking in the First Degree after being arrested by the DCSO. Image courtesy of Dale County Jail.
Emmitt Reed Jones was arrested by the DCSO and is being held without bond in the Dale County Jail. He has been charged with Human Trafficking in the First Degree. Image courtesy of Dale County Jail.
David Michael Sanders was also arrested by the DCSO and charged with Human Trafficking in the First Degree. He is currently being held without bond in the Dale County Jail. Image courtesy of Dale County Jail.
