Men Charged with Human Trafficking in Paducah

Authorities have charged three men with human trafficking following a multi-agency undercover prostitution investigation.

The Paducah Police Department says 65-year-old Ray Wright of Mayfield, 42-year-old James Cunkelman of Fort Campbell and 24-year-old Austin Gish of Many, LA were arrested Thursday after they showed up at a local motel in response to an online ad for sex they believed to be from an underage girl. The men later learned they had actually been communicating with an officer.

All three men are charged with promoting human trafficking of a victim less than 18-years of age and use of an electronic communication system to procure a minor for sex offenses.

Paducah Police detectives said they worked with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office in the investigation, and found more than 200 "sex for sale" ads in the Paducah area between Dec. 29 and Jan. 28. They said many of the ads clearly involved minors.

Officers say several other men who responded to the ad hung up when they were told the post was from an underage girl.