NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT: Lt. Kevin Toth

DATE: April 13, 2021                                                                  PHONE: 760-839-4444

THIRTY-SIX MEN ARRESTED DURING ONLINE PROSTITUTION STING

On 4/8/2021, The Escondido Police Department partnered with the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and other local agencies to conduct Operation Century Week, targeting individuals seeking prostitution via the Internet. 

As a result of this enforcement effort, thirty-six men made arrangements over the internet to trade money for sex acts.  These men went to an agreed upon location where they were contacted and arrested by law enforcement officers for the violation of California Penal Code § 647(b)(2)  Solicitation of Prostitution. 

Operation Century Week was a four-day operation throughout San Diego County which resulted in 144 total arrests for California Penal Code § 647(b)(2)  Solicitation of Prostitution.

https://www.sdsheriff.gov/Home/Components/News/News/304/16

Prostitution is not a victimless crime.  This criminal activity has evolved and often includes young women who are coerced to participate in prostitution often arranged online.  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. 

If you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect someone who is, please get help by calling the National Human Trafficking Resource Center toll free, 24/7 Hotline at (888)373-7888 or text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE).  If you or someone else is in immediate danger, CALL 9-1-1.

Please follow the police department via Facebook at www.facebook.com/EscondidoPolice and Twitter and Instagram (@EscondidoPolice).  Text EscondidoPD to 888777 for community alerts from Nixle

To report any suspicious activities in your neighborhood, you may contact the Police Department directly, or you may make an unidentified call on our “Anonymous Tip Line” at (760) 743-TIPS (8477) or via our Web site at police.escondido.org.