SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — A human trafficking operation in north Shelby County led to 15 arrests and additional drug charges for one suspect, according to the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force.
The task force said that on Thursday, July 23, 2026, investigators conducted the operation and arrested 15 individuals on charges of Prohibited Activities under Alabama Criminal Code 13A-12-121. Authorities said all suspects were arrested and taken to the Shelby County Jail.
Arrests included Rodrick Hicks, Quinton Lee, George Brand, Steven Crews, Arthur McClendon, Tremele Perry, Wayne Leslie, Efrem Miller, Naushad Sundrani, Jacob Hollingsworth, Prudhvi Paladugu, Carlos Barba-Sanchez, Bruno Reyes, Carter Lundstrom, and Robert Suttles.
Suttles is the Director of Content for “Yea Alabama.” Yea Alabama is the official Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, and also shares its name with the school’s traditional fight song.
According to court documents, Suttles is charged with solicitation/commission of prostitution.
The task force said one of those arrested was also charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, involving meth and cocaine, as well as Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, second degree.
Lt. Clayton Smith, commander of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, said, “We will not tolerate the victimization of vulnerable women here in Shelby County. I believe that no woman wakes up each morning and chooses to sell their bodies because they just want to. There is always an underlying reason that they feel they have to do this to live and have no other option. We have a duty to protect them just like any other citizen. I want to thank the investigators for their passion and work in this operation.”
