Taney County Sheriff's Department Coordinates a Human Trafficking Demand Reduction Operation

The Taney County Sheriff's Office releases information about an operation that took place last Friday.

The complete release from the Sheriff's Department is below:

On July 10, 2026, Investigators from the Taney County Sheriff’s Office, Stone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office conducted a proactive Human Trafficking Demand Reduction operation in Taney County.

The operation was conducted with assistance from the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), Pathways Project of the Ozarks, and OUR Rescue.  In total, Investigators made eight arrests, seized four firearms, confiscated methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and recovered alcohol intended for a minor.

The following individuals were arrested and charged during the operation:
• Clarence Wayne Haney — Enticement of a Child, Patronizing Prostitution, Supplying Liquor to a Minor (Held with No Bond)
• Jason Wayne Still — Patronizing Prostitution (Bond set at $50,000)
• Nick E. Ward — Patronizing Prostitution, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia (Held with No Bond)
• Bryan Justin Mason — Patronizing Prostitution (Bond set at $50,000)
• Reginald Dean Kelley — Patronizing Prostitution (Bond set at $25,000)
• Desmond Jerome Melton — Patronizing Prostitution (Bond set at $50,000)
• Brandon Blake — Patronizing Prostitution (Bond set at $50,000)
• David Benton Dennis — Patronizing Prostitution, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Held with No Bond)

We would like to extend our appreciation to all the agencies and organizations that assisted in this operation.  We maintain a zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking in any form and will continue to aggressively pursue those who participate in and perpetuate these crimes.