11 Arrested In Palm Desert Prostitution Sting

PALM DESERT, CA — A prostitution sting in Palm Desert that was spearheaded by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department netted 11 arrests, officials have announced.

Friday's operation involved placing decoy advertisements on several websites commonly used to solicit prostitution, according to the sheriff's department. Members of the Palm Desert Business District Team, with assistance from the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team and the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, then responded to prospective customers.

After an agreement for paid sex acts was reached, the johns were arrested when they arrived at a pre-determined meeting location, according to the sheriff's department.

The task force members also targeted prostitutes who had placed online ads offering their services. In these instances, women who responded to the undercover officers posing as johns were told where to meet. When the women arrived, they were arrested unless it was determined they were victims of sex trafficking, according to the sheriff's department.

During the operation, eight men were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor prostitution; one man was also arrested on suspicion of violation of parole. Two women were taken into custody on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution.

All the arrestees were booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio, the sheriff's department said.