48 People Charged in Metro Prostitution and Human-Trafficking Ring: 2012 in Review

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Urbandale Patch is looking back at some of the stories that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head.

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This story originally published Nov. 1.

By Deb Belt

Urbandale police had a role in investigating five local reports of prostitution this month that were part of a large sweep that 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.

Blaylock told Radio Iowa the drug and human trafficking activity go hand-in-hand with prostitution. “Human trafficking is basically rescuing younger people who are used in the sex trade. A lot of these people use drugs to manipulate and basically sell their bodies,” Blaylock said.

Other 2012 in Review stories:

Urbandale Hy-Vee Opens with Fanfare and Ribbon Cutting: 2012 in Review

Families Stage Weekend Protest at Urbandale Motel Frequently Visited by Police: 2012 in Review

Urbandale Prays for a Miracle for Grace: 2012 in Review

What Really Happened on Urbandale's Jensen Playground?: 2012 in Review

U.S. Marshals Arrest Merle Hay Mall Game Store Owner on Sex Abuse Charges: 2012 in Review