Several Arrested in South Bay Prostitution Sting
Undercover Hawthorne policewomen recently apprehended 11 men on suspicion of soliciting prostitutes. The Daily Breeze reports that the five-hour operation took place on Imperial Highway from Inglewood Avenue to Crenshaw Boulevard in Hawthorne. While posing as prostitutes, the female undercover officers waited for men to drive up to chat with them. After they allegedly arranged a deal, the men parked their cars and walked with the undercover officer to a motel room where they found officers who were ready to arrest them. A similar operation last year also resulted in 11 arrests.
The Daily Breeze reports that the Hawthorne police department has made 98 arrests of women on suspicion of loitering for the purpose of prostitution. Furthermore, they have obtained court orders on 52 of the alleged prostitutes to stay away from that specific area along Imperial Highway. Women who violate this type of restraining order are subject to arrest.
Prostitution is prosecuted aggressively in Southern California. Anyone suspected of engaging in a sexual act in exchange for money or other goods and/or services will face charges. California law states that it is a misdemeanor for individuals to solicit sex for money or to sell sexual favors for money.
