Waco Prostitution Sting Nets 12 Arrests: Entrapment or Justice?

Earlier this week the Waco Police Department, the McLennan County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division worked together on a sting that resulted in the arrest of twelve individuals. Were the alleged crimes worthy of such a huge undertaking, or was it a waste of taxpayers' money to pursue adults attempting to pay money to partake in a consensual act with another adult?

The Business of Prostitution: A Look at Its Legal Status and Arrest Rates

Prostitution is often referred to as the oldest profession. Despite its longevity as a potential income earning activity, it is only legal in certain counties within the state of Nevada. Every year, roughly 70k to 80k people are arrested for crimes related to prostitution.

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Undercover Tactics: Setting the Stage for Arrests in Waco

In Waco, an undercover officer placed an advertisement in a website that is used to advertise prostitution. It ended up being a pretty popular ad because multiple men responded to the post. The men would talk with the undercover officer through texts, and the men would try to purchase sex in exchange for money.

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Hotel Ambush: Solicitors Met with Handcuffs Instead of Sex

Once a price and a service were agreed upon the undercover officer would give the solicitor an address and invite them to come to the hotel. When the men would arrive at the hotel expecting an exciting roll in the hay they were instead surprised by an officer wielding a pair of handcuffs and arrested on the spot.

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Former Sheriff Among Those Caught in Waco Prostitution Sting

In all, twelve men were arrested, and their cell phones were confiscated. One of the men arrested was the former Hill County Sheriff Michael Cox.

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Entrapment Concerns? Examining the Legality of the Waco Operation

If you're like me, you may wonder how the placement of an advertisement that these men replied to wouldn't be considered entrapment. Ultimately, the police are simply providing an opportunity for a crime to occur, and they are not persuading or coercing the men to commit the crime.

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⚖️ A Question of Priorities: Focusing on Solicitors vs. Traffickers

Regardless of the legal definition of entrapment, I personally feel as if the money, manpower, and time that the law enforcement agencies put into this operation could have been used better. Rather than pursuing people attempting to pay a consenting adult to have sex with them the police could instead investigate procurers that are dealing in human trafficking.