Dayton, OH
Categories:
Tactics Used |
|
---|---|
Auto Seizure | ✓ |
Buyer Arrests | ✓ |
Cameras | ✓ |
Community Service | ✓ |
Employment Loss | ✓ |
Identity Disclosure | ✓ |
IT Based Tactics | ✓ |
John School | ✓ |
Letters | ✓ |
License Suspension | ✓ |
Neighborhood Action | ✓ |
Public Education | ✓ |
Reverse Stings | ✓ |
SOAP Orders | ✓ |
Web Stings | ✓ |
Dayton is a city of approximately 140,000 residents, located 50 miles north of Cincinnati in Montgomery County, Ohio. Numerous crimes associated with the local commercial sex market have been documented in the city for decades, including illicit drug offenses, targeted homicides, assault, and rape of prostituted people, and the sex trafficking of children. Sex buyers have also been assaulted and robbed with deadly weapons during prostitution transactions. High-level fraud and misuse of government funds are prostitution-related crimes that have also occurred in Dayton. In July 2022, it was reported that a senior US Air Force hypersonic missile scientist duped his colleague into hiring a prostituted woman at a top military research facility, so he could continue paying for her services without his wife’s knowledge. As the plot began to unravel and the duped supervisor attempted to oust the prostituted woman, the sex buyer became erratic and threatened to kill the supervisor and himself, but ultimately, transferred the prostituted woman to another military contractor, with $150,000 in funding to pay for her salary. Investigators also turned up a spreadsheet on the man’s government-issued laptop on which he curated a list of at least 27 prostituted women he frequented while on US Government trips. Several of the prostituted women were deemed to be a threat to US security.
In response to chronic prostitution activity in the city and the numerous health and safety problems it generates, the Dayton Police Department has pursued an aggressive and comprehensive strategy to identify and arrest sex buyers. Officers began conducting street-level reverse stings in 1976; operations have been routinely conducted since that time, often using one or more undercover female officers as decoys. As men attempt to solicit sex from prostituted women, they are apprehended by a team of undercover officers. Once arrested, sex buyers frequently have their names released to the media, a tactic first deployed in 1993 in Dayton. Recent examples include a web-based operation conducted in December of 2017, in which a decoy prostitution advertisement was posted online by an undercover detective, and meetings were arranged to exchange sex for money. Arrests were made at the meetup location when the buyers arrived and continued arranging for the commercial sex exchange. The Dayton Police Street Crimes Unit said the internet sting led to the arrest of 14 male sex buyers; police also seized 13 vehicles and 13 cell phones. Prosecutors charged the suspects with soliciting, and the use of criminal tools.
In a July 2018 feature in the Dayton Daily News, Buying sex in Dayton: Prostitution-related offenses on rise, it was reported that Dayton police have continued to focus on the demand for commercial sex, arresting 83 men in 2016, 150 men in 2017, and 86 men during the first six months of 2018. The Dayton Daily News examined about 200 cases to try to learn more about the local men who purchase sex acts. Among the noteworthy findings was that a significant number of commercial sex buyers were senior citizens that were decades older than the people they solicited. The median age of the suspects was 46 years. First-time offenders most commonly were given probation, tested for HIV, and ordered to attend a John school where they were taught about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, health education, the negative community impact of commercial sex activities, and the legal consequences of solicitation and human trafficking. In 2019, another 5 male sex buyers were arrested in a web-based reverse sting, and their identities were publicly reported.
Not all demand reduction tactics in the city of Dayton have been deployed by law enforcement agencies. For example, in 1989 residents of Dayton gathered together and protested prostitution activity within their own neighborhoods. Residents of the Riverdale neighborhood reportedly organized an anti-prostitution rally, in an effort to deter prostitution and related crimes in the area. In 1990, residents along North Dixie Drive, an area known for high rates of prostitution-related activity, petitioned for officers to conduct a reverse sting operation targeting male sex buyers. According to reports, over 2,000 residents of the North Dixie Drive area signed the petition.
Letters and Identity Disclosure
Identity disclosure is another tactic used in Dayton, it was first implemented on January 1st, 1993 when the DPD publicized a list of men arrested for soliciting prostitution on the city’s public access channel, Viacom Cablevision – Channel 19. Again in 1993, the DPD placed an advertisement in a local paper on Valentine’s Day listing the names and identities of men recently arrested in a sex buyer sweep. Photos and identifiers of arrested sex buyers are routinely released to news outlets. In January 2019, the city of Dayton announced an initiative called “Buyer’s Remorse” designed to modernize its approach to combating prostitution and sex trafficking. It would make the information on anyone caught buying sex in Dayton “very” public, with the identities of convicted sex buyers included in social media ads that were geo-targeted to the offenders’ locations; their names and addresses would be added to a map on www.buyersremorsecampaign.com. The names and addresses of prostituted persons would not be published.
To further deter sex buyers, Dayton police have also at times sent letters to the homes of individuals whose cars have been seen idling in areas known for prostitution. These letters warn that prostitution is a serious offense and list potential penalties, including fines, vehicle seizures, incarceration, and john school. The letters have been sent to the registered vehicle owners in the hopes of discouraging them from purchasing commercial sex.
John School
In June 2008, city law enforcement partnered with the Dayton Municipal Court’s Adult Probation Department to create a john school. Enrollment was limited to first-time offenders, and all participants paid a $250 enrollment fee. Once accepted into the program, sex buyers attended a day-long course that included presentations from probation officers, city prosecutors, and public health officials. Between 2008 and 2010, 139 men completed the course, and only two were known to have subsequently re-offended. As of 2021, four cities had john schools that were currently in operation.
According to reports, the Dayton John School program is typically limited to first-time offenders. Individuals arrested more than once may face jail time of up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500, at the discretion of the judge. The court may also choose to impose a two-year driver’s license suspension.
Loss of Employment
Loss of employment is also a consequence that sex buyers face in the city of Dayton. For example, in 2002, a former Dayton police sergeant elected to retire, after he was arrested for soliciting prostitution on two separate occasions. The former officer was initially arrested for soliciting prostitution from an undercover officer in the spring of 2002, which resulted in a 30-day suspension, one-year unsupervised probation, and a fine of $250. In the fall of 2002, the officer, who at the time was still on suspension from the previous charge, was arrested for soliciting prostitution for the second time. According to reports, the sex buyer elected to retire in lieu of the alternative — being formally fired by the chief of police.
Key Partners
Key Sources
National Assessment Survey and Interviews (2012)
John School, Driver’s License Suspension:
- John School’ Designed to Cut down on Prostitution; Men Arrested for Solicitation Would Learn about Health Risks and Other Consequences (2008)
- “Men Get a Lesson on the Dangers of Prostitutes”, Dayton Daily News, February 28 2010.
- “Looking to Buy Sex? Welcome to John School”, Dayton Daily News, March 1 2010.
- This is John School (2010)
- “Former PAC Director Pleads Guilty to Solicitation”, Dayton Daily News, June 11 2014.
- “Ex-PAC Director Pleads Guilty; Former Clark Staffer Arrested in Prostitution Sting”, Dayton Daily News, June 12 2014.
- “Prostitution Sting Snags Pastor, WPAFB Officer; Dayton Police Arrest 30; Crackdown in Conjunction with March Madness,” CBS/WHIO-TV 7, March 20 2015.
- Ohio John Schools (2015)
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/buying-sex-dayton-prostitution-related-offenses-rise (2018)
- https://www.journal-news.com/buying-sex-dayton-prostitution-related-offenses-rise (2018)
- What is the current treatment of people convicted of buying or attempting to buy sex (ie, the john) (2019)
- https://www.dispatch.com/ohio-legislators-propose-prostitution-john-registry-funding-for-court-programs (2020)
- https://www.nbc4i.com/it-wasnt-lancaster-chaplains-first-time-human-trafficking-sting-attorney-general (2022)
Street-Level Reverse Stings, Identity Disclosure:
- Prostitution decoys getting results (1976)
- Decoys arrest 36 for solicitation (1979)
- “Hooker Stings Nabs 21 Men”, Dayton Daily News, October 17 1992.
- City ad to name suspects (1993)
- “Decoy Sets Record for Most Arrests”, Dayton Daily News, August 10 1994.
- “In Brief”, Dayton Daily News, October 6 1995.
- “Vice Cops Play Role on Streets”, Dayton Daily News, November 22 2003.
- “Police: Prostitution Major Problem in Dayton”, CBS/WHIO-TV 7, July 1 2011.
- “Cops Focusing More on ‘Johns’ in Prostitution Busts”, Dayton Daily News, August 21 2012.
- “Dayton Police Stings Targeting ‘Johns’; Emphasis Shifts from Prostitutes to Men who Pay for Sex”, Dayton Daily News, August 22 2012.
- “Dayton Prostitution Sting Nets Two Arrests”, CBS/WHIO-TV 7, September 26 2013.
- DPD Problem Oriented Policing Project: Safe Oasis: Prostitution Reduction and Recovery Through Consumer Enforcement Strategies (2013)
- “Getting to the Root of the Prostitution Problem”, NBC/WDTN-TV 2, February 4 2014.
- “Johns Week Nets 28 Arrests; 1 Suspect in Prostitution Sweep Faces Charge of Human Trafficking”, Dayton Daily News, February 8 2014.
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/buying-sex-dayton-prostitution-related-offenses-rise (2018)
Web-Based Reverse Stings, Identity Disclosure:
- “Sex Sting Nets Former Police Officer”, NBC/WDTN-TV 2, March 1 2010.
- “Lima Minister Arrested in Sex Sting in Dayton”, Dayton Daily News, December 13 2010.
- “Prostitutes Use Web to Lure Clients, Evade Police; Cops Are Online Too, and Setting Up Stings”, Dayton Daily News, December 27 2010.
- “Latest Internet Sex Sting a Success; Detectives Used Decoy to Nab 8 Charged with Seeking Prostitution”, Dayton Daily News, February 7 2012.
- “Men Arrested in Online Prostitution Sting”, Dayton Daily News, April 19 2012.
- “Man Caught in Prostitution Sting Claims to Be Pastor”, CBS/WHIO-TV 7, January 28 2013.
- “Dayton Detectives Arrest 2 in Online Sex Sting”, NBC/WDTN-TV 2, July 9 2013.
- “Undercover Cop Busts Man Soliciting Sex”, Dayton Daily News, January 11 2014.
- “Clark State Executive Arrested in Dayton; Arts Center Chief Charged in Prostitution Sting”, Dayton Daily News, March 26 2014.
- “Former PAC Director Pleads Guilty to Solicitation”, Dayton Daily News, June 11 2014.
- “Sex Sting Nets Wright-Patt Officer, CSU Professor”, CBS/WHIO-TV 7, August 4 2014.
- “Prostitution Sting Nets 23; Air Force Officer, Professor among Those Facing Charges”, Dayton Daily News, August 5 2014.
- “Prostitution Sting Snags Pastor, WPAFB Officer; Dayton Police Arrest 30; Crackdown in Conjunction with March Madness,” CBS/WHIO-TV 7, March 20 2015.
- “Prostitution Sting Nets 8 Including Sex Trafficker,” NBC/WDTN-TV 2, November 19 2015.
- “Online Dayton prostitution sting leads to arrest of 14 men.” December 15, 2017.
- https://www.whio.com/man-caught-prostitution-sting-claims-pastor (2018)
- https://www.whio.com/men-arrested-montgomery-county-internet-prostitution-sting (2019)
Identity Disclosure:
- “Dayton to Air Names of Prostitute Patrons”, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 10 1993.
- “Names Ad Makes Lovers Mad”, Dayton Daily News, February 14 1993.
- https://www.issuelab.org/resources/1191/1191.pdf (2008)
- https://www.whio.com/dayton-announces-initiative-combat-prostitution (2019)
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/convicted-buying-sex-dayton-will-tell-your-neighbors-via-facebook (2019)
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/ohio-wants-prostitution-registry-dayton-already-has-johns-list (2020)
- http://buyersremorsecampaign.com (2022)
Neighborhood Action:
Auto Seizure:
- “Ordinance Is Tougher on Johns; Those Caught Trying to Solicit Sex on Dayton’s Streets Won’t Be Able to Drive Away if Caught Soliciting”, Dayton Daily News, January 14 2009.
- “Online Dayton prostitution sting leads to arrest of 14 men.” December 15, 2017.
Letters:
- https://www.whio.com/suspected-prostitution-draws-warning-letters-from-dayton-police (2017)
- https://www.mydaytondailynews.com/dear-johns-dayton-police-warn-suspected-prostitution-customers (2017)
- https://www.usnews.com/ohio-city-fights-prostitution-with-letters-to-vehicle-owners (2017)
- https://www.times-gazette.com/ohio-city-fights-prostitution-with-letters-to-vehicle-owners (2017)
Loss of Employment:
- Pastor charged with soliciting for prostitution (1982)
- “Former Dayton Police Sergeant Arrested on Prostitution Charge”, Dayton Daily News, August 2 2002.
- https://www.wdtn.com/police-officer-among-men-arrested-in-prostitution-sting (2016)
- https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/ohio-pastor-found-guilty-trying-hire-prostitute (2017)
- https://www.whio.com/prostitution-busts-increase-in-recent-crackdown (2015)
Proposed SOAP Orders:
- Sleaze trade can be cut at its ugliest margins (1989)
- “Dayton May Crack down on Sex Trade, Ordinance Would Designate No-Prostitution Zones and Tougher Penalties on Johns”, Dayton Daily News, October 6 2007.
- “Dayton Tries New Ways to Fight Prostitution; Officials Consider No-Prostitution Zones, John Schools to Combat Pervasive Problem”, Dayton Daily News, October 14 2007.
- “City Postpones Vote on ‘No Prostitution’ Zones; Residents’ Opinions Sought on Whether Signs Would Curb Soliciting in City’s Neighborhoods”, Dayton Daily News, October 24 2007.
Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation in the Area:
- “Dayton Man Accused of Human Trafficking”, Dayton Daily News, August 28 2012.
- “Activists Targeting Human Trafficking; Group Focuses on Teen Prostitution in Dayton Area”, Dayton Daily News, December 6 2012.
- “Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking”, U.S. Federal News Service, August 10 2013.
- “Getting to the Root of the Prostitution Problem”, NBC/WDTN-TV 2, February 4 2014.
- “Man Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Sex Trafficking Case,” Dayton Daily News, March 3 2015.
- “Prostitution Sting Nets 8 Including Sex Trafficker,” NBC/WDTN-TV 2, November 19 2015.
- https://www.whio.com/men-accused-human-trafficking-involving-female-victims (2017)
- https://dayton247now.com/traffickers-prey-on-poverty-human-trafficking-activity-on-the-rise-according-to-dpd (2023)
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-anti-human-trafficking-group-partnering-with-area-hotels (2023)
Background on Prostitution in the Area:
- “Ruling Cuts Hooker Arrests”, Dayton Daily News, December 9 1993.
- “Former Dayton Police Sergeant Arrested on Prostitution Charge”, Dayton Daily News, August 2 2002.
- “New Nuisance Ordinance Empowers Neighborhoods; Police Can Seize Sites of Ongoing Drug Activity, Prostitution or Gambling and Board Them up for a Year”, Dayton Daily News, February 18 2007.
- “Call Girls’ Rehab Eyed; Dayton Police Think a Safe House Might Work Better than Jail in Deterring Prostitution”, Dayton Daily News, March 14 2009.
- “Dayton Police: 41 Prostitutes HIV Positive”, Dayton Daily News, March 27 2009.
- “Dayton Proposes New Prostitution Crackdown Law”, NBC/WISE-TV 18, June 18 2010.
- “Convicted HIV-Positive Prostitute Arrested Again”, Dayton Daily News, May 19 2011.
- “Police Can’t Fix Chronic Prostitution”, Dayton Daily News, July 2 2011.
- “Repeated Arrests Don’t Stop Prostitutes”, Dayton Daily News, July 2 2011.
- “Repeat Arrests Drive up Public Costs; Women, in and out of Jail Since 2006, Have Cost Taxpayers $100K or More”, Dayton Daily News, July 3 2011.
- “Really Prostitution Ring, Say; They Allege Dayton Man Was Pimp for as Many as 35 Women”, Dayton Daily News, July 6 2012.
- Stings target johns (2012)
- “‘Internet Pimp’ Was Tripped up in Sting; Dayton Man Found Guilty of Promoting Prostitution”, Dayton Daily News, March 8 2013.
- “Man Sentenced to Prison for Promoting Prostitution”, CBS/WHIO-TV 7, April 3 2013.
- “Innovative Anti-Prostitution Program Discussed”, NBC/WDTN-TV 2, June 12 2013.
- “Dayton Police Zero in on Prostitution Problem”, CBS/WHIO-TV 7, August 12 2013.
- “Police Arrest 10 Women in Sex Sting; Officers Say Effort Designed to Help Rather than Punish”, Dayton Daily News, October 11 2011.
- “Partnership Looks to Get Prostitutes off Dayton Streets”, NBC/WDTN-TV 2, October 16 2014.
- “HIV-Positive Woman Held after 2nd Prostitution Arrest,” CBS/WHIO-TV 7, March 17 2015.
- “Prostitution Sting Nets 8,” NBC/WDTN-TV 2, March 16 2016.
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/buying-sex-dayton-prostitution-related-offenses-rise (2018)
- https://www.wdtn.com/task-force-arrests-9-people-in-montgomery-county-prostitution-sting (2021)
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/Military-hypersonic-missile-scientist-duped-colleague-hiring-prostitute-Air-Force-lab (2022)
- https://dayton247now.com/dayton-woman-indicted-in-prostitution-sting (2022)
Documented Violence Against Individuals Engaged in Prostitution in the Area:
- “Ex-Trotwood Officer Indicted for Murder Found Dead in Alabama”, Springfield News-Sun, February 4 2010.
- “Overlooked Evidence Led to Ex-Trotwood Officer”, Dayton Daily News, February 20 2010.
- “Suspect’s Suicide Leaves Questions Unanswered in Slayings of 2 Women”, Dayton Daily News, February 22 2010.
- “Former Officer Killed Self after Ohio Indictment”, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, February 27 2010.
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/man-slashed-robbed-after-prostitution-transaction (2015)
- https://www.daytondailynews.com/cop-accused-rape-said-was-counseling-prostitutes (2017)
- https://dayton247now.com/fugitive-accused-of-kidnapping-rape-human-trafficking-returned-to-montgomery-county (2019)
State | Ohio |
Type | City |
Population | 137644 |
Location |
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