McNairy County has a population of approximately 26,000 and is located in southwestern Tennessee on the border with Mississippi, roughly 100 miles east of Memphis. Its county seat is the city of Selmer. Prostitution has been well-documented in the county for decades.

At least one web-based reverse sting had occurred in the county to combat consumer-level demand for commercial sex. In July 2022, six people were arrested (and a seventh person was cited in lieu of arrest) and charged in connection with a human trafficking investigation in western Tennessee. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the two-day operation occurred in McNairy County, targeting human trafficking. Law enforcement placed several decoy advertisements on websites linked to prostitution and commercial sex to identify those seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. Six people were arrested, and their charges included trafficking for a commercial sex act, promoting prostitution, and patronizing prostitution. The sex buyers’ identities and arrest photos were released to the public.