Nine men have been arrested as part of a child exploitation, sex trafficking sting led by an Alabama sheriff’s office.

Last week, law enforcement investigators in Limestone County conducted an undercover operation resulting in the arrest of nine men, the Limestone Sheriff’s Office said in a written news release.

“God’s children are not for sale,” law enforcement investigators said. “I hope this message rings loud and clear throughout North Alabama today.”

The undercover operation was conducted by Limestone County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Athens police officers and the Covenant Rescue Group.

Those arrested included:

Gilbert Jordan (30) of Madison, Human Trafficking First Degree, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act Electronic Solicitation of a Child.

Brandon Adamson (31) of Athens, Human Trafficking First Degree, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Edgar Castro-Juarez (28) of Albertville, Human Trafficking First Degree Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Christopher Tomasello (31) of Blountsville, Human Trafficking First Degree Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act
Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Bernardo Sanchez (43) of Huntsville, Human Trafficking First Degree, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act
Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Cameron Abernathy (29) of Athens, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Transmitting Obscene Material to a Child by Computer

Jacob Farley (22) of Huntsville, Human Trafficking First Degree, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Collin McGee (30) of Athens, Human Trafficking First Degree, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act, Electronic Solicitation of a Child

Bobby Pincheon (37) of Hazel Green, Human Trafficking First Degree, Traveling to Meet a Child for Unlawful Sex Act

“The purpose of this operation was to identify, investigate, and arrest predators seeking children for sexual acts. These offenders targeted and solicited decoys who they believed to be children.

These predators found us while searching online through chat rooms, social media, and other sites. These offenders then agreed on cash payments to engage in sexual acts with children and then traveled to designated locations in Limestone County to engage in these unlawful sex acts,” the sheriff’s office said.

“We remain committed to protecting those who are most vulnerable in our community by proactively disrupting the child sex trade and arresting sex traffickers.”