An undercover human trafficking sting in Coweta County led to the arrest of 26 people, including a local man who has been identified as a top children’s education official with the Pentagon.

According to the military publication Stars and Stripes, 64-year-old Stephen Hovanic of Sharpsburg is the chief of staff for Defense Department schools in the United States.

The Department of Defense Education Activity administrator arrested recently for allegedly soliciting a prostitute during a human trafficking sting in Georgia has been freed on bond and is on leave from the agency.

Stephen Hovanic, 64, of Sharpsburg, Ga., was among 26 people arrested during a two-day operation by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, according to a social media post Tuesday by neighboring Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, which provided support for the operation.

The chief of staff for Defense Department schools in the United States was released from custody Nov. 16 on a $2,675 bond, according to a release report provided by Coweta County.

Hovanic is on leave from the agency, DODEA spokesman Will Griffin wrote in an emailed statement Wednesday. He did not specify the type of leave or whether it is paid or unpaid.

“We are aware of an alleged incident involving a DoDEA employee in the Americas Region,” Griffin wrote. “As there are ongoing legal processes, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”