Columbia, Tennessee Men Sentenced in Federal Court for Human Trafficking Conspiracy

Nathaniel Roberts, aka Nay Nay, 35; Tavoris Roberts, aka Sug, 27; and Shermaine Aiden, aka Tink, 31, all of Columbia, Tenn., were sentenced on December 2, 2011 by Chief United States District Judge Todd J. Campbell for their involvement in a human trafficking conspiracy, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Nathaniel Roberts was sentenced to 70 months in prison and Tavoris Roberts and Shermaine Aiden were each sentenced to 41 months in prison. Patrick Bullock, 34, also of Columbia, Tenn, was previously sentenced on September 22, 2011 to serve 63 months in prison for the same offense. Johnny Turrentine, aka T-Tine, 37, also of Columbia, Tenn. will be sentenced on January 23, 2012 for his role in the conspiracy.

The five defendants were indicted on November 17, 2010, on one count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking involving force or coercion and all pleaded guilty to the charge. After the completion of their sentences, each defendant will be placed on the maximum period of five years’ supervised release. The defendants were also ordered to pay a total of $20,000 in restitution to their victims.

The defendants conspired to operate a prostitution business and Nathaniel Roberts was the self proclaimed “mastermind of operations.” The defendants referred to their organization as the “Wolf Pack.” Nathaniel Roberts called regular meetings of the organization, during which he discussed police activity, gave recommendations on avoiding law enforcement, and discussed money.

Between September 2008 and October 2010, several female victims of the organization’s human trafficking enterprise suffered violent assaults by the defendants for, among other reasons, keeping extra money charged to clients and not reporting it to Roberts. One victim was kicked in the torso, causing her lung to collapse, and during another assault, Roberts choked her to the point of unconsciousness. Another victim was hospitalized in June, 2010, after Roberts assaulted her and fractured bones in her face.

This investigation was conducted by the Maury County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynne T. Ingram represented the government.