10 Arrested on Bell County Prostitution Charges

BELL COUNTY, Texas – 10 people aged 23 to 77 from all over Central Texas were arrested on charges of prostitution in Bell County.

The Bell County Sheriff’s Department says the attack was part of an anti-trafficking operation conducted in cooperation with the Bell County Organized Crime Unit, the Fort Hood Military Police and the Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Unit.

On February 22-23, digital advertisements were placed on well-known websites promoting prostitution. The officers then responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to the advertisement over the course of two days. Six people were arrested on February 22, and four more on February 23.

Each of those arrested was charged with soliciting a prostitute, a Texas felony.

In addition, one of them was charged with resisting arrest, but Bell County did not name which one.

Bell County residents who suspect or know of human trafficking, or who themselves need assistance, may contact their local Aware Central Texas Center at 254-813-0968 or may report nationally by calling the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 -888- 373-7888 or by texting “Help” to 233733 (FREE).

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“In the past, we have heard public criticism of such operations, which was that “this is just sex between consenting adults,” but this is far from the case,” Chief Deputy T.J. Cruz said in a press release. “During a previous operation, we arrested a man with body bags, duct tape and bleach in the trunk. During the operation this week, one of the defendants negotiated a price, but arrived without money. What do you think his plan was?

The Sheriff’s Department says it is also concerned about the potential link between prostitution and human trafficking. “Many prostitutes are victims of human trafficking themselves,” Cruz said. “They can be subjected to physical and sexual abuse, robbery and even murder.”

Another problem concerns those who harass, who are often victims of other crimes. “There are known cases, although many of them are not reported, when John was attacked, robbed and recently killed right here in Bell County,” Cruz said. “Our efforts are to keep all people from exposing this criminal behavior and therefore make our county safer for everyone.”