A man in Johnston was recently arrested and charged during a sting operation. The man was charged with felony human trafficking following his arrest inside of a Rockland hotel room. Law enforcement posted an online ad for sex and a female officer went undercover as an escort. The man subsequently made contact with the undercover officer, and agreed to meet her at a hotel room to pay her $100 for sex.
The man specifically asked the officer if she was “working for herself,” according to the police report. The man later arrived at the hotel driving a Santa Fe with Rhode Island plates. The man was provided with a room number, and was arrested when he knocked on the door. Four other individuals were also taken into custody during the sting operation and were arraigned in Hingham District Court. Each of the men was charged with one count of trafficking an individual for sexual servitude. The man pleaded guilty and was released from custody to await sentencing.
How Sting Operations Work
Law enforcement often relies on online tools to make prostitution arrests. Police officers will likely create ads on sites like Backpage or Craigslist. When someone responds to the ad, the responses are recorded and the responder can often be convinced to meet in real life.
Various Behaviors Can Increase Your Likelihood of Arrest
Sex crimes carry serious legal penalties and can damage every other aspect of your life. One of the best ways to avoid charges is to follow some simple advice:
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Avoid saying anything that might be construed as incriminating via phone, text, or online
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Never visit a location with the expectation that you will be able to pay for sexual acts
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Under no circumstance agree to render payment in exchange for the services of a sexual act
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Stay away from sites like BackPages or Craigslist that advertise arrangements of this kind
Understand the Defense of Entrapment
Entrapment can be used to defend against sting operations that involve sexually-related charges. Entrapment occurs when law enforcement or other authorities convince an individual to engage in a criminal act that the individual otherwise would not have performed. Law enforcement, however, can offer the exchange of sexual services to see how a person responds.
Do Not Hesitate to Speak With a Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer
Even if you are not convicted of the sex crime with which you are charged, the impact on your life can be devastating. If you or a loved one is facing a sex crime charge, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact attorney Edward R Molari today to schedule a free case evaluation.