SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Thirty men were arrested this week after an online prostitution operation involving multiple agencies in San Diego County.
The 30 individuals, ranging in age from 22 to 62, had made arrangements over the internet to trade money for sexual acts, according to the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force. The men then agreed to meet at a location where they were contacted by law enforcement and arrested.
They have each been charged with soliciting or agreeing to participate in any act of prostitution.
Law enforcement officers with San Diego Sheriff’s Office, Chula Vista Police Department, National City Police Department, and Escondido Police Department participated in the operation.
"Prostitution is not a victimless crime. This criminal activity has evolved and often includes young women who are coerced or forced to participate in prostitution often arranged online," SDHTTF said in a release. "Many of these women are forced to use highly addictive drugs, suffer physical assaults, and are forced to perform sexual acts against their will as initiation into this modern form of slave labor. Oftentimes, these activities occur at the direction of criminal gangs and/or organized crime."
Anyone who is a victim of human trafficking or suspect that someone is can call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE). If someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
