Twelve men were arrested on misdemeanor prostitution charges during a “John” prostitution sting in Temecula, according to the Riverside Sheriff’s Department.
The sting was conducted on August 26 by members of the Southwest Station Problem Orientated Policing Team, in partnership with personnel from the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
Operating in an undercover capacity, law enforcement personnel placed decoy advertisements on several popular classified advertisement websites commonly used for the solicitation of online prostitution. The undercover operators communicated with prospective customers replying to their posted prostitution decoy advertisements.
After brokering an agreement for paid sexual acts, the “Johns” were arrested upon their arrival at the meeting location. All subjects arrested were booked and released from the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
The purpose of the sting was to “reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the City of Temecula,” according to the sheriff’s department.
Photos courtesy of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department.
