Prostitution Sting Snares 12 'Johns' In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A sting in the city of Temecula targeting sex buyers netted 12 arrests for solicitation of prostitution, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The sheriff's Problem Oriented Policing Unit, in cooperation with the Homeless Outreach Team and the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, conducted the eight-hour “John” operation on Wednesday in the 27000 block of Jefferson Ave.

The purpose of the sting was to "reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city of Temecula," according to the sheriff's department.

The arrestees, all men, were snared after law enforcement personnel placed decoy advertisements on several popular websites commonly used for the solicitation of online prostitution, according to the sheriff's department.

Undercover law enforcement communicated with prospective sex buyers replying to the posted decoy ads. After brokering an agreement for paid sex acts, the alleged “Johns” were arrested when they arrived at the agreed-upon meeting location.

All of the suspects were booked at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of misdemeanor solicitation for prostitution charges and were released with a promise to appear in court (see booking photos and arrestee names above), the department said.