64 men charged in HPD prostitution investigation
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police say they have charged 64 men on prostitution-related charges as a result of an undercover investigation in southwest Houston.
HPD says on January 20, the HPD Vice Division initiated an investigation by opening and operating a "modeling studio."
"Hundreds" of potential customers contacted the studio with the intent to buy sex, according to Houston police.
Authorities say 64 men were ultimately identify and charged. Police say they went to the location and agreed to purchase sex from undercover officers.
Some of those men were arrested on February 19 in a "round-up" style operation.
Houston police say the effort was to "lower the demand for sex trafficking which often involves under-age girls and women being abused and coerced into prostitution," according to a press release.
The release adds, "By targeting patrons, the hope is to reduce demand for these illegal businesses and the exploited women forced into them."
Anyone with information on these types of cases is urged to contact the HPD Vice Division at 713-308-8600.
