Gallatin is city of 47,000 in north central Tennessee, in Sumner County. Prostitution activity has been well-documented throughout the county, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. Gallatin police conduct street level and web based reverse stings to combat consumer-level demand for prostitution. A street level reverse sting in 2007 netted eight men arrested in 45 minutes, which produced local awareness and concern about the high demand for commercial sex in the small city. Officers also have used web based strategies for arresting people who buy sex via the web. In February, 2023, four men were arrested after responding to decoy advertisements for paid sex with minors. The photos and identities of the arrested men were provided in news reports.

In addition to reverse stings, sex buyers are also arrested during investigations or when responding to incidents involving real victims.  For example, in March, 2017  Gallatin police arrested a man and charged him with patronizing prostitution after Facebook messages were found during an investigation.  The messages he sent the woman offered her money for sex.  The man’s identity was included in news releases. The sex buyer was released from the Sumner County Jail on $10,000 bond, and then scheduled to appear in Sumner County General Sessions Court.  In January, 2021, a man staying at a local motel went on a website called MegaPersonals and ordered a woman for prostitution. That woman arrived and said her 30-minute rate is $200. Police say after the transaction concluded, the man offered her $40. When the woman complained, the man pulled a pistol. The woman’s pimp, who was waiting in the parking lot, pulled out an altered AK-47 and opened fire, shooting at the motel room.  All three individuals were arrested, and their photos and identifiers were included in press releases.