LIBERTY, MO (ClayCoNews) - According to the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff: Earlier this month, three men were arrested when Human Trafficking Task Force Officers conducted a dual operation to both target the demand side of prostitution (johns) and to offer services to sex workers engaged in prostitution.
Deputies placed online ads advertising sex in exchange for money.
An undercover female deputy met with those who responded at an area hotel.
Three men were arrested for and have since been charged with:
- Patronizing prostitution
Arrested that night was:
- 39-year-old Shawn M. Grady of Lathrop, MO
- 20-year-old Ashton Epstein of Leavenworth, KS
- 45-year-old Phillip G. Moore of Kansas City, KS
Deputies and Task Force members also responded to online ads soliciting sex for money.
When the sex workers (many of whom are trafficked by pimps) arrived, they were offered services to help the escape the cycle of prostitution and addiction.
We thank Kearney Missouri Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance.
