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Last updated on Tuesday, October 1, 2013
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Seven people are facing charges after a sting involving the Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement (DCE) and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s (IMPD) undercover VICE Unit.
The operation targeted unlicensed escorts and massage therapists as part of an ongoing effort to combat prostitution and human trafficking in Indianapolis.
It started with IMPD Vice detectives researching online advertisements of suspected escorts and massage therapists. They arranged appointments at various locations around Indianapolis.
Detectives then conducted undercover operations to determine if the people had intentions of possible prostitution.
Arrests were made when appropriate and DCE issued Uniform Traffic Tickets (UTTs) for not properly being licensed as an escort or massage therapist - as required by City Code. UTTs establish a court date by which a judge may impose fines up to $2,500 per violation.
In total, eight escorts and one massage therapist responded to meeting requests; resulting in seven arrests, eight UTTs for no escort license and one UTT for no massage therapist license. No respondents were identified as human trafficking victims.
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