Prostitution Sting Nets 5 Arrests In Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, CA — A prostitution sting Wednesday in Indian Wells netted five arrests by deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the agency announced.

The five arrests were all men suspected of trying to buy sex.

The law enforcement operation involved placing fake classified ads on websites commonly used for online prostitution, according to the sheriff's department. When prospective "johns" responded, they were strung along: After an agreement for paid sex acts was reached, the men were arrested when they arrived at a pre-determined rendevous location.

All five men were arrested on suspicion of soliciting prostitution, a misdemeanor.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, prostitution is not a victimless crime.

"Those victimized by commercial sexual exploitation frequently have long histories of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse or trauma in their backgrounds. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates one in six endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking," the agency reported. "Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker but are also frequently physically and sexually assaulted by those that solicit them for prostitution."

Human trafficking tips can be reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 888-373-7888.