The task force targeted people who seek prostitutes online, but it was also part of an annual multi-agency statewide initiative that focuses on rescuing human trafficking victims, arresting their captors and disrupting the demand for victims, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.
The task force officers placed "decoy" advertisements on websites commonly used by people looking for sex. When a prospective customer replied to an ad and a sex deal was struck, a meeting spot was offered. Once a customer showed up at the agreed upon location, he or she was arrested.
Task force officers also targeted online escort advertisements. In those cases, officers would respond to escort ads and agree to sex acts. The escorts — all women in this instance — were then arrested when they showed up at an agreed upon meeting spot. Following booking, all 72 arrestees were released with their written promise to later appear in court. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Toni McAllister , Patch Staff.
Posted Tue, Feb 4, at pm PT. Find out what's happening in Palm Desert for free with the latest updates from Patch.
