DENTON COUNTY, Texas — The Denton County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that deputies arrested 11 men on complaints of solicitation of prostitution after a two-day human trafficking operation.
Investigators identified suspects who allegedly arranged through online communications to meet someone for sex acts in exchange for money during the first day of the operation, according to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Deputies say 11 were arrested on complaints of solicitation of prostitution as a result – identified as Rajeev Turner, Jorge Fernandez, Lontel Johnson, Michael Ramos, Adebayo Adetolu, Kenneth Swick, Ruben Calderon, Stevie Lamb Jr., Barry Whatley, Dennis Fontana and Jose Zambrano, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officials say of the 11, 10 were from Denton County, and one was from Wise County.
During the second day of the operation, investigators posing online as someone looking to purchase sexual services identified, met and interviewed 12 people who they say were possible victims of human trafficking, according to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. After being interviewed, those 12 people were referred to meet with counselors from nonprofits specializing in human trafficking, the Denton County Sheriff’s Office said. Nonprofits identified as assisting with the operation include Refuge for Women, Unbound Now, Bob’s House of Hope and Kainos International.
Personnel from the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security and the Arlington Police Department also assisted in the operation, according to the news release.
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