Simpsonville, SC

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

Simpsonville is a city of about 25,000 residents, located in Greenville County, South Carolina near Mauldin. On at least one occasion, local law enforcement have employed demand-reduction tactics to combat prostitution locally. In May 2016, Simpsonville Police and Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputies arrests 26 male sex buyers (along with 28 sexually exploited persons) in a prostitution bust dubbed “Operation Good Time.” The individuals collectively faced 64 charges, including 11 drug charges and one gun charge. Eight of the 54 people arrested had outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court, violating probation, failure to pay child support, and other infractions. According to media reports, law enforcement used social media sites to identify suspected prostitution solicitation and placed decoy online advertisements. Those who responded to the listings and appeared and tried to exchange money for sex were immediately arrested. All of the offenders– including those arrested for prostitution– had their arrest photos and other identifying information released to the public via law enforcement press release. Select media outlets carried this information.

Key Partners

  • Simpsonville Police Department
  • Greenville County Sheriff’s Department

Key Sources

Web-Based Reverse Stings, Identity Disclosure:

Background on Prostitution in the Area:

State South Carolina
Type City
Population 24685
Location
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