NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Nashville man was arrested Tuesday on charges related to the trafficking of a minor after an investigation into a commercial sex advertisement led authorities to a motel on Brick Church Pike.
Torrance Cosby, 48, faces two felony charges: trafficking for a commercial sex act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The arrest came after an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) into a commercial sex ad posted online featuring a 17-year-old girl who had been reported missing from West Tennessee.
On January 28, TBI agents became aware of the ad and quickly launched an undercover operation. Investigators reached out to the advertiser and were directed to a motel in the 2400 block of Brick Church Pike.
Upon arriving at the location with the Metro Nashville Police Department, officers executed a search warrant and encountered the missing teen.
The girl, who was reportedly being exploited for sex, spoke with officers at a separate location after exiting the motel room.
During the interview, the teen described Cosby as her “pimp” and said he had forced her to engage in commercial sex acts. She alleged that Cosby took the money she earned and threatened her with being locked out of the motel room in freezing conditions if she did not comply.
Authorities also found evidence that Cosby was controlling another underage girl who had been similarly exploited. Upon further investigation, officers reviewed surveillance footage and confirmed the motel room from which the girl had exited. Inside, they discovered Cosby with another minor.
Authorities seized a 9mm handgun and several electronic devices from the room. Cosby, a convicted felon with prior drug-related charges, is currently being held in the Metro jail on a $90,000 bond. Authorities are continuing to investigate the case.
The TBI emphasized the ongoing issue of human trafficking and praised the swift action of law enforcement in preventing further exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
