It's not a story you would expect to hear. During an undercover sting operation in Santa Ana, police officers, dressed as prostitutes, strutted Harbor Boulevard looking for unsuspecting johns. In the motel room nearby, nearly a dozen police officers waited for the inevitable arrests that would follow. As the sting operation began, a man in a white SUV approached one of the undercover agents. He inquired about prices for her services and wanted her to service him right there, in the SUV. Yet, unlike most johns, he had two children strapped in car seats in the back—a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old.
The undercover officer initially waved him off and told him NO. She told him that the children needed to be home and she gave him every opportunity to walk away and avoid the arrest. Yet, he would not relent, so she told him to met her in the motel room. He immediately left the children in the car, in the parking lot—alone—and followed her. Once they entered the room, the officers arrested him. He was charged with two counts of child abuse and one count of misdemeanor agreeing to engage in prostitution.
California Sting Operations Growing Prominent?
This sting is just one of many that is being run throughout the state of California in an effort to combat human sex trafficking from all possible angles. They have begun to see the prostitutes as victims and the "johns" as those who perpetrate the crime, along with the pimps. They are using "johns sweeps" and public shaming tactics to deter other potential johns from victimizing these women and children.
By all accounts, these tactics seem to be working. In 2013, California agencies logged the fewest female prostitution arrests in 2001 and the most male johns arrests since 2006. Typically, these prostitution stings result in dozens of arrests.
With the focus on eradicating prostitution in California, it has never been more important to contact an experienced Oakland sex crime lawyer if you are arrested for soliciting a prostitute. Local prosecutors are showing no mercy when it comes to johns—even first time offenders—and you need someone on your side to protect your rights.
Being arrested for soliciting a prostitute is a serious offense with consequences that could be life-long for many men. While it is just a misdemeanor crime, you could still face jail time for your actions. Even worse, the social stigma that is attached to soliciting a prostitute may never go away. You could lose custody of your children, your reputation in the community could be damaged beyond repair, and you could even lose your job.
Arrested on a prostitution charge? Do not wait to get counsel. Call the Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed in East Bay at (510) 907-6600 or fill out our confidential contact form.