Former NBA player and one-time University of Alabama basketball standout Jim Farmer is facing a human trafficking charge in Middle Tennessee.
Farmer, 55, of Franklin, Tenn. was among 16 men arrested on charges of seeking sex from minors, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported this week. A statement from the agency says the men were arrested during a two-day sting operation that began on Oct. 24.
According to an arrest affidavit, Farmer responded to an adult escort advertisement on Oct. 25 in regards to meeting a juvenile for sex.
During the communication, a female undercover officer identified herself as a 16-year-old girl. Farmer, the affidavit continues, agreed to pay $170 to have sex with the girl.
Farmer arrived at a predetermined location made between the two and was subsequently arrested on one count of trafficking of sexual servitude, authorities said.
He was booked into the Rutherford County jail that same day and released Tuesday on $75,000 bond.
A Rutherford County court clerk said Farmer is due in court for a hearing on the charge on Nov. 13.
A representative for Farmer didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment Wednesday.
Farmer has worked as a country music singer and model since last playing in the NBA in 1994, when he was with Denver. He also played for Dallas, Utah, Seattle and Philadelphia over six total seasons.
Farmer was a leading scorer at Alabama before being picked in the first round of the NBA draft in 1987.
Following his professional basketball career, Farmer pursued a country music career in the early 2000s that included the release of a 10-song album, “Baby Come On.”
Matthew Leimkueher and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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