In one day Tuesday, Harris County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit investigators made a dozen arrests during an undercover prostitution sting in north Harris County, despite warnings to the public that individuals who buy or sell sex will be arrested.
The operation focused on suspects soliciting sex online, officials said.
According to authorities, undercover female deputies advertised as escorts and arranged for solicitors to meet them off of the North Freeway and Beltway 8 in north Harris County. Once the suspects arrived and made a deal to pay for sexual services, they were arrested.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 12 men:
- Michael Nicholson, 43
- Greggory Arthur Mitchell, 50
- Ratilal K. Patel, 73
- Zenaido Martínez, 49
- Andrew Bray, 34
- Hung Vo, 38
- José Arévalo, 40
- Héctor Aparacio, 36
- Byron F. Fuentes, 26
- Lee Henry Harris, 50
- Elbert C. Thompson, 43
- Eliu D. García, 49
All 12 suspects were charged with prostitution. Bray was also charged with evading arrest.
HCSO officials say they will continue to conduct similar reverse prostitution operations year-round, targeting both sellers and solicitors of sex.
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