HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A teacher from Luella High School was arrested on pandering charges during a police sting operation.
The arrest was part of a joint investigation by Henry County Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation targeting individuals attempting to purchase sex.
Kerry Vanderford has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, a school district official told Channel 2’s Tom Regan.
“That is unacceptable,” said one student. “And I know parents are concerned, and of course students are concerned.”
The operation took place at a Henry County apartment complex and resulted in the arrest of several individuals, also including a jailer and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.
“They were soliciting prostitution, probably looking into pandering prostitution,” said Investigator Richard Bias of the Henry County Police.
“We are aware that an employee was arrested for a personal matter unrelated to his employment with Henry County Schools,” the school district said in a statement. ”This type of incident is taken seriously by our school and district and the employee has been placed on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation. There is no indication the employee’s arrest has anything to do with his role at Luella High School.”
A victim of prostitution was also rescued during the operation and received medical attention, according to Investigator Bias.
Henry County Police have made approximately 30 pandering arrests this year as part of their ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and prostitution.
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