DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. – A surgeon from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is among 12 people arrested in a sex trafficking investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in Dougherty County, authorities confirmed this week.
The multi-agency sting, known as Operation Radiant Shadows, led to multiple arrests and targeted individuals suspected of involvement in sex trafficking and related offenses across South Georgia.
Surgeon Among Those Arrested
Officials identified one of the suspects as Dr. Malcolm Tyrone Jefferson, 40, a practicing surgeon at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany. Jefferson was charged with one count of pandering, according to the GBI.
Ten of the twelve individuals arrested in the operation are residents of South Georgia, with additional suspects from surrounding areas. The GBI said the coordinated operation was designed to disrupt human trafficking networks and identify victims potentially coerced or exploited for sex work.
“This was a proactive effort to target those contributing to the demand side of trafficking and to locate individuals being exploited,” the GBI stated in its report.
Hospital Responds to Arrest
In a brief statement, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital acknowledged the arrest but declined to comment on Jefferson’s employment status.
“This is a personal matter unrelated to his employment. Therefore, we have no comment to offer at this time,” a hospital spokesperson said.
The statement did not confirm whether Jefferson remains on staff or if disciplinary action has been taken pending the investigation.
Details of Operation Radiant Shadows
The GBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit, working alongside Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, launched Operation Radiant Shadows as part of a broader statewide initiative to combat human trafficking.
During the operation, undercover agents posed as sex workers and customers to identify offenders soliciting sexual services or attempting to exploit potential victims. The arrests were made over multiple days in early November, with charges ranging from pandering and solicitation to trafficking-related offenses.
Officials say the effort also led to the identification and recovery of multiple potential victims, who are being connected with victim services and advocacy groups.
Broader Efforts Against Sex Trafficking
Georgia law enforcement agencies have intensified crackdowns on human trafficking in recent years, focusing both on traffickers and buyers who sustain the illegal industry. The GBI said operations like Radiant Shadows are part of an ongoing commitment to protect vulnerable individuals and dismantle exploitation networks across the state.
“Human trafficking thrives when there is demand,” the GBI added. “Our goal is to hold accountable those who contribute to this cycle while helping victims find a way out.”
Ongoing Investigation
As of Thursday, all twelve suspects face individual charges based on evidence gathered during the operation. Jefferson and the other defendants were booked into Dougherty County Jail, where they await further court proceedings.
The GBI and local authorities have not released additional details about potential victims or related cases stemming from the operation.
Anyone with information regarding suspected human trafficking in Georgia is urged to contact the GBI Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-866-ENDHTGA (1-866-363-4842) or submit tips anonymously online.
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