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.