By BRIANA HARRIS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Five people were arrested in Shelby County as a part of the FBI-led initiative Operation Cross Country X, which cracks down on human trafficking in America.

Among those arrested in Shelby County were Kheliam Jamar Rountree, 33, human trafficking, child endangerment and second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana; Aaron Lee Boyd Jr., 24, human trafficking and obstruction of justice; Elaina Josephine Logan, 25, promoting prostitution; Devon Johnson, 22, promoting prostitution; and Terkeria Sherell Simmons, 28, chemical endangerment of a child and second-degree unlawful possession of a marijuana.

Lt. Clay Hammac, commander of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, said the FBI asked task force investigators for assistance with the undercover operation targeted at rescuing victims of human trafficking.

The arrests took place during the week of Oct. 10, and the task force obtained the arrest warrants for the suspects. Hammac said additional federal charges are expected to be filed by the FBI.

Rountree, Byrd Jr., Logan, Johnson and Simmons have been released from Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $52,000.

“The most important thing to recognize is lives were potentially saved, and this fact should be celebrated,” Hammac said. “We are grateful for the partnership we share with the FBI and all of our federal, state, and local partners.  The success of this operation is credited to the FBI’s long-term planning and investigation.  It is my sincere hope that these offenders are fairly and justly prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Operation Cross Country X is in its 10^th year, and for the first time the efforts extended beyond the U.S. to include Cambodia, Canada, the Philippines and Thailand.

Domestically, 82 minors were rescued and 239 traffickers and their associates were arrested as part of the initiative. Operation Cross Country X is part of the FBI’s Innocent Lost Initiative, which began in 2003. Since its inception, there have been more than 6,000 child identifications and locations.

The Pelham Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Homewood Police Department, Vestavia Hills Police Department and Birmingham Police Department also assisted part in the nationwide effort.