Two Arrests in Joint Human Trafficking Operation
August 10, 2026, 8:44 p.m.

LOUDON - An undercover joint operation by special agents with TBI’s Human Trafficking Unit, the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, the Loudon Police Department, the Lenoir City Police Department, the 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of two men.

On August 6th, agents conducted a two-day undercover operation aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Loudon area. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors. As a result, two men were arrested and booked into the Loudon County Jail:

Valerii Onufreychuk (DOB 01/24/1993), Philadelphia, TN: Charged with one count of Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act (Minor), $50,000 bond.

John Wood (DOB 01/31/1959), Knoxville, TN: Charged with two counts of Trafficking for Commercial Sex Act (Minor), $100,000 bond.

Information about human trafficking and TBI’s efforts to address this type of crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com.  Anyone can report a suspected case of human trafficking by calling the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

Learn about the TBI online at tn.gov/tbi, and connect with the agency on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @TBInvestigation.