LE Arrests Hundreds in Houston & Waco Stings -- Learn Lessons

Note the part in the article, below, I've highlighted in red boldface. My comments appear after the article.

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More Than 250 Arrested in Month-Long Houston-Area Sex Sting

Authorities in Houston say a month-long sting operation has resulted in arrests of more than 250 sex buyers and traffickers.

Aug. 18, 2017, at 2:41 p.m.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

By Michael Graczyk, Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — More than 250 sex buyers and traffickers have been arrested in the Houston area during a monthlong sting operation, authorities said Friday.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the arrests by his agency and Houston police accounted for about 25 percent of more than 1,000 arrests made by a coalition of 37 law enforcement agencies in 17 states. The nationwide crackdown on sex trafficking is coordinated by the Cook County Sheriff's Office in Illinois and known as the National Johns Suppression Initiative.

In Houston, eight hotel operators cooperated with law enforcement agencies in the operation from June 28 through July 31 that involved authorities placing ads on online sites known to attract people interested in buying sex.

"They sat back and waited for the phones to ring," Gonzalez said. "When the caller said they wanted to meet in person so they could pay for sex, our undercover deputies and officers obliged. In hotel rooms 161 sexual predators offered our deputies and officers money for sex, and that's when they were arrested."

Another 88 sex buyers and nine people identified as sex traffickers were arrested by Houston police.

The sheriff said those arrested were business professionals and a suburban Houston church pastor. They also included a man in possession of 60 grams of the opioid Hydrocodone, a man who already had been arrested in January for prostitution, a convicted sex offender and two suspects with handguns in their vehicles.

"Our aim is for Harris County and Houston to shed the dubious distinction as America's sex trafficking capital." Gonzalez said. "By focusing our efforts on sex buyers who are seeking to take advantage of sex trafficking victims, we are putting these predators on notice that our community won't tolerate their behavior."

Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff Thomas Dart earlier this month announced the arrests of 140 people in his county under the national initiative, the 14th his department has coordinated since 2011. Seattle had 160 arrests, among them a convicted child molester, and Phoenix police rescued a 16-year-old trafficking victim, he said.

Elsewhere in Texas, authorities in McLennan County, which includes Waco, announced last week they made 71 arrests under the program.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-sta...area-sex-sting

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Re-read what I put in red boldface, above. I'm not going to say, "I told you so." No, I'm going to say

I WARNED YOU, IN WRITING.

Below is a thread called "Security Reminders From the Perpetual Nag, ShysterJon" which mods have stickied to the top of various Eccie forums.

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SECURITY REMINDERS!

I've practiced criminal law throughout Texas for more than 35 years. I've handled hundreds, if not thousands, of prostitution cases. I represent fuckers and fuckees. I read professional articles and published cases about prostitution. I talk to my lawyer buddies over booze, cigars, and cards about our prostitution cases. The common factor in 99.99% of arrests for prostitution is that one or both parties discussed specific sex acts or money or both. A hobbyist gets horny or a provider has rent to pay, and that leads to careless, dangerous behavior.

Eccie serves many good purposes, and one is this site should make it unnecessary for a provider and hobbyist to discuss particular sex acts or money. The Welcome Wagon, and provider ads, websites, profiles, and reviews should provide all the information a hobbyist needs to make a prudent jizz-inducing decision.

Ironically, some providers post ads or in the Welcome Wagon and omit their list of services (a/k/a their "menu") and prices for their services. I guess they think they're being sneaky and John Law will leave them alone. However, it's not against the law for a provider to post a list of services and a price for the service in an ad, showcase, or profile. Ads are not offers because they're directed to the public generally. On the other hand, it's against the law -- that is, it constitutes the offense of prostitution -- to offer, accept an offer, or solicit sexual services for money. That's why it's wise for a provider to post a list of services and prices rather than engage in off-board discussions regarding same. The offense of prostitution occurs when two people negotiate a deal -- offer and acceptance -- between them.

(To be clear, I'm NOT saying a provider should post a price for each item like a pizza parlor. I mean a price for periods of time, and what services the time would include.)

Also, providers and hobbyists post in stupid codes -- roses and money signs ($) are common -- thinking that somehow will shield them from criminal liability. Ridiculous! All that omitting a list of services (menus), leaving out prices, and using codes does is create confusion that leads to dangerous, private discussions about money and sex acts.

An experienced hobbyist learns to tell the provider he wants to see: (1) his references (provider handle, phone number, and email); (2) a few days and times the provider can choose from to see him; and (3) the amount of time he wants to book. THAT'S IT. NOTHING ELSE.

When the provider and hobbyist are together, in person, money will be discreetly paid and sexual activities will take place, but there should be no discussion of money or sex beforehand. The script has already been written. Now all the players need do is act it out.

I hope I am not too late in replying to this, but... damn. As a newer hobbiest it is great that you posted this. I know I have broken some of these rules but definitely won't in the future.

Note the part in the article, below, I've highlighted in red boldface. My comments appear after the article.

--------------------------------------------

More Than 250 Arrested in Month-Long Houston-Area Sex Sting

Authorities in Houston say a month-long sting operation has resulted in arrests of more than 250 sex buyers and traffickers.

Aug. 18, 2017, at 2:41 p.m.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

By Michael Graczyk, Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — More than 250 sex buyers and traffickers have been arrested in the Houston area during a monthlong sting operation, authorities said Friday.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the arrests by his agency and Houston police accounted for about 25 percent of more than 1,000 arrests made by a coalition of 37 law enforcement agencies in 17 states. The nationwide crackdown on sex trafficking is coordinated by the Cook County Sheriff's Office in Illinois and known as the National Johns Suppression Initiative.

In Houston, eight hotel operators cooperated with law enforcement agencies in the operation from June 28 through July 31 that involved authorities placing ads on online sites known to attract people interested in buying sex.

"They sat back and waited for the phones to ring," Gonzalez said. "When the caller said they wanted to meet in person so they could pay for sex, our undercover deputies and officers obliged. In hotel rooms 161 sexual predators offered our deputies and officers money for sex, and that's when they were arrested."

Another 88 sex buyers and nine people identified as sex traffickers were arrested by Houston police.

The sheriff said those arrested were business professionals and a suburban Houston church pastor. They also included a man in possession of 60 grams of the opioid Hydrocodone, a man who already had been arrested in January for prostitution, a convicted sex offender and two suspects with handguns in their vehicles.

"Our aim is for Harris County and Houston to shed the dubious distinction as America's sex trafficking capital." Gonzalez said. "By focusing our efforts on sex buyers who are seeking to take advantage of sex trafficking victims, we are putting these predators on notice that our community won't tolerate their behavior."

Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff Thomas Dart earlier this month announced the arrests of 140 people in his county under the national initiative, the 14th his department has coordinated since 2011. Seattle had 160 arrests, among them a convicted child molester, and Phoenix police rescued a 16-year-old trafficking victim, he said.

Elsewhere in Texas, authorities in McLennan County, which includes Waco, announced last week they made 71 arrests under the program.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-sta...area-sex-sting

--------------------------------------------

Re-read what I put in red boldface, above. I'm not going to say, "I told you so." No, I'm going to say

I WARNED YOU, IN WRITING.

Below is a thread called "Security Reminders From the Perpetual Nag, ShysterJon" which mods have stickied to the top of various Eccie forums.

--------------------------------------------

SECURITY REMINDERS!

I've practiced criminal law throughout Texas for more than 35 years. I've handled hundreds, if not thousands, of prostitution cases. I represent fuckers and fuckees. I read professional articles and published cases about prostitution. I talk to my lawyer buddies over booze, cigars, and cards about our prostitution cases. The common factor in 99.99% of arrests for prostitution is that one or both parties discussed specific sex acts or money or both. A hobbyist gets horny or a provider has rent to pay, and that leads to careless, dangerous behavior.

Eccie serves many good purposes, and one is this site should make it unnecessary for a provider and hobbyist to discuss particular sex acts or money. The Welcome Wagon, and provider ads, websites, profiles, and reviews should provide all the information a hobbyist needs to make a prudent jizz-inducing decision.

Ironically, some providers post ads or in the Welcome Wagon and omit their list of services (a/k/a their "menu") and prices for their services. I guess they think they're being sneaky and John Law will leave them alone. However, it's not against the law for a provider to post a list of services and a price for the service in an ad, showcase, or profile. Ads are not offers because they're directed to the public generally. On the other hand, it's against the law -- that is, it constitutes the offense of prostitution -- to offer, accept an offer, or solicit sexual services for money. That's why it's wise for a provider to post a list of services and prices rather than engage in off-board discussions regarding same. The offense of prostitution occurs when two people negotiate a deal -- offer and acceptance -- between them.

(To be clear, I'm NOT saying a provider should post a price for each item like a pizza parlor. I mean a price for periods of time, and what services the time would include.)

Also, providers and hobbyists post in stupid codes -- roses and money signs ($) are common -- thinking that somehow will shield them from criminal liability. Ridiculous! All that omitting a list of services (menus), leaving out prices, and using codes does is create confusion that leads to dangerous, private discussions about money and sex acts.

An experienced hobbyist learns to tell the provider he wants to see: (1) his references (provider handle, phone number, and email); (2) a few days and times the provider can choose from to see him; and (3) the amount of time he wants to book. THAT'S IT. NOTHING ELSE.

When the provider and hobbyist are together, in person, money will be discreetly paid and sexual activities will take place, but there should be no discussion of money or sex beforehand. The script has already been written. Now all the players need do is act it out. Originally Posted by ShysterJon

THANK YOU SHYSTER JOHN!!!

Your threads and legal advice are invaluable to Eccie. Your words contain a great deal of wisdom and your patience in explaining the legal system ...has been very helpful for me!!

I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all that you do to aid those of us who participate in a world fraught with naughtiness...

Your appreciative slave,

Guinevere

Thank you, Guinevere. That's very kind of you. I'm glad my ramblings have helped to keep you and others safe.

Them cowboys going hardcore, but how'bout'after the storm?

I'm going to start linking post #1 in some of those W&I threads. If all a lady reads is what you've posted in red, they will know all they need to know about the subject.

I'll add to the thanks for the advice you provide. I know it's helped me steer clear of harm's way on more than one occasion.

One has to keep their mouth shut and to recognize TGTBT
TWICE I have been approached by LE streetwalker and I got to walkaway
Advice by Shyster Jon is gold

Jon -
I see three parts to this; being arrested, being charged and being convicted. If one were to be careful and follow your advice, would you consider them safe from getting arrested and charged or is there a likelihood without proof you would get arrested anyway?

Jon -
I see three parts to this; being arrested, being charged and being convicted. If one were to be careful and follow your advice, would you consider them safe from getting arrested and charged or is there a likelihood without proof you would get arrested anyway? Originally Posted by hdanish

Well, there are many more steps in a criminal case than the three you mention, but I'll set that issue aside and answer your question.

I think if someone follows the common sense-based rules I lay out over and over, it's unlikely they'll have a contact with LE, and if they do, chances are slim they'll be arrested, charged, and convicted.

However, I think sometimes people are arrested without ANY proof of having committed an offense. Lawyers call these defendants "actually innocent" defendants. We all know some actually innocent defendants are not only arrested, but also charged and convicted, sometimes for very serious crimes.

But in the context of the hobby, I think it's rare for a provider or hobbyist to be arrested based on NO evidence. There are instances where a cop becomes frustrated trying to make a prostitution case and charges a defendant with disorderly conduct or some other petty offense -- what we call 'POTP' (pissing off the police). But normally there is evidence, and the evidence is created by the defendant's bad judgment, such as confessing, haggling over price, or explicitly discussing sex acts.

Great answer on an important topic for all of us. Thank you.

Extremely helpful advice. Thank you

You're welcome. Like the Big Dude, I live to serve man.

Thanks ShysterJon for the words of wisdom, but not for undoing 25 years of therapy bringing up that episode of the twilight zone. Now I have to worry about getting eaten, but not in good way (totally joking btw, To Serve Man was one of my all time favs).

Dizi & Jon
Damn it, now I have images of the 56 Body Snatchers movie pod people going through my mind. (amusing that cops behave like those more often than not).

I slept in a Holiday inn last night.