TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A local multi-agency human trafficking initiative resulted in six investigations and over a dozen arrests, according to the City of Tallahassee.<\/p>\n
In a press release Monday, city officials announced the results of Operation Lighthouse, which the Tallahassee Police Department led in partnership with the Protecting Children\u2019s Innocence Task Force and several local sheriff\u2019s offices. The Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also assisted with the operation. <\/p>\n
The initiative focused on \u201cidentifying potential victims, providing support services and holding offenders accountable,\u201d according to the city statement. <\/p>\n
The \u201cvictim-centered\u201d operation resulted in seven human trafficking-related arrests, eight additional felony arrests for crimes associated with the investigation and six human trafficking investigations, officials said.<\/p>\n
Among those seven human trafficking-related arrests are Jonathan Morehead, Rony Yassainte, Cedric Moore, Octavious Shaw, Stanton Knight Jr. and Sheniqua Whaley, court documents revealed. WCTV is working to learn more regarding that seventh arrest.<\/p>\n
Morehead is accused of trafficking a woman and arranging commercial sexual acts for her, court papers indicated.<\/p>\n
Yassainte, Moore, Knight, and Shaw are all accused of sexual acts with a teenage girl in exchange for allowing the victim to stay at their homes. <\/p>\n
The arrests come after the operation began May 27 and continued through August 3, according to the press release.<\/p>\n
More on crime in our area: <\/p>\n
During the initiative, officials said investigators contacted approximately 140 potential victims electronically and 22 potential victims in person. <\/p>\n
Authorities said that throughout the investigation, detectives worked alongside victim advocates \u201cto build trust with potential victims and provide opportunities to receive assistance, resources and support services.\u201d<\/p>\n
At a press conference on Monday, Chief Lawrence Revell issued a stark warning for traffickers and a message for victims. <\/p>\n
\u201cThose who seek to exploit the vulnerable in our community will be held accountable. We will bring you to justice. And to those who may be experiencing exploitation, we want you to know that we are here for you. This community is here for you. This task force is here for you,\u201d Revell said.<\/p>\n
TPD said Florida is consistently ranked in the top three for human trafficking complaints and they\u2019ll continue their efforts to lower that number.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information regarding suspected human trafficking in Tallahassee are encouraged to contact TPD at 850-891-4200. To remain anonymous, contact Big Bend Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS (8477).<\/p>\n
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n