by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – A multi-agency undercover operation conducted by the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office, while working closely with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations, Plymouth Police Department, Sheboygan Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Sheboygan County District Attorney’s Office, culminated on Friday with the issuance of charges related to Human Trafficking against 5 individuals.
The charges allege crimes of Prostitution – Soliciting, Patronizing Prostitutes, Possession of Child Pornography, Prostitution, Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, Possession of Cocaine, and Operating a Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent.
According to a release from Sheriff’s Lieutenant Matthew Spence, the subjects were identified by investigators who used popular, publicly available online websites that were specifically generated in order to connect individuals for the purpose of arranging sexual encounters in exchange for money.
Besides conducting such operations to combat human sex trafficking, the release says that officials also connect community resources to the prostitutes who are at higher risk of human trafficking, domestic violence, physical assaults and other life-changing and degrading outcomes.
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