Metro Prostitution and Human-Trafficking Cases Net 48; Ames Residents Included

A large prostitution sweep has led to 48 people facing charges.

Those charged are from Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Ames, Des Moines and other cities in central Iowa.

According to Urbandale police reports, three cases of prostitution at a hotel or motel were logged on Oct. 17, with two more cases reported the next day.

Officer Randy Peterson, the Urbandale Police Department's spokesman, referred all comments to state and federal authorities leading the larger investigation, which includes multiple Iowa cities.

Those authorities have not yet commented, but the Des Moines Register reports that 48 people were arrested in the case. Most face prostitution charges, one person was charged with pimping, one with drug possession and another with in-call prostitution.

According to the Iowa Code, both the person offering their services in a sex act and the person offering to pay for sex can be charged with the crime of prostitution.

The Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force was the lead agency on the operation.

Most of the arrests were made at one location, said Sgt. Rich Blaylock of the Polk County sheriff’s office. However, officials did not reveal the name of place where the arrests were made. The location will eventually be disclosed, Blaylock told the Register.

“Because it’s such a large investigation and because there’s so many agencies involved, once they get everything in order they’ll be able to give out more information,” Blaylock said.