Moeller said his department had received multiple complaints about this kind of activity taking place at local motels in the city. Moeller stated there are many spinoff and related crimes surrounding prostitution. Moeller said that prostitutes have a high mortality rate as well which was another reason, along with the complaints, to put this operation in motion.
Moeller declined to give details of how the police department was able to carry out the operation as they plan to use the same tactics in this operation moving forward.
Moeller said of the twenty-four arrests, those arrested were agreeing to pay for sex with money, drugs, and firearms. Moeller said some of those arrested were asking for sex with men, women, or children. One of those arrested was a locally registered sex offender according to Moeller.
In this situation, it appears that it would not take much for someone involved in this activity to become a victim of rape, kidnapping, trafficking, and murder.
Moeller said this operation was a joint effort between multiple diivisions of the Picayune Police Department and commended the efforts and professionalism of those involved in carrying out this operation.
