Prostitution Sting Nets Nearly 50 Arrests in Salt Lake City

Undercover police arrested 50 people in a prostitution sting, disguising themselves as potential clients.

Salt Lake City police department (SLCPD) and the Unified police worked together on a four-day prostitution sting that ended on June 1, KSL reported.

The male officers made agreements with dozens of prostitutes, while the female officers made agreements with potential male clients. It only took between 5 to 10 minutes for someone to pick up the undercover female police officers.

Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking searched hotel rooms and streets throughout Salt Lake Valley for those involved in prostitution.

The arrests cross all socio-economic boundaries and have included married men as well as fathers, reported the Salt Lake City Police.

The new law reforms have classified soliciting a prostitute as a Class A misdemeanor.

A statement released by the SLCPD states that if an individual is arrested for soliciting a prostitute in Salt Lake City, they will be jailed for up to one year, their car will be impounded, and will receive fines up to $2,500.

The purpose of the sting operation is to prevent men from soliciting with prostitutes because it entangles women in drugs and mental health issues. Instead of punishing prostitutes, they punish those who seek out prostitutes. They said it is a better way to identify and protect victims of human trafficking.

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