GBI and TBI team up in online sex sting

DALTON, Ga. - Dozens of people are behind bars tonight after an online sex sting.

The operation was a joint effort between the GBI and agents from the Tennessee office.          

Overall, 35 people were arrested. Twelve were taken into custody in Dalton, the rest in Chattanooga.

GBI director Vernon Keenan says undercover agents found people online who were looking to have sex with a child.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn said the two branches coordinated and executed the sting.

"We have worked several operations across the state of Tennessee, and just felt like we were in a place, in a position now to come together with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and conduct a multi-state operation," Gwyn said.

Keenan added, while Georgia's part of the investigation took place in Dalton, some of the suspects traveled from distances as far away as Atlanta.