Mauldin is a city of approximately 25,000 residents located in northwestern South Carolina’s Greenville County near Greenville. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city, surrounding communities, and other areas of the county. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates result in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Among the more severe crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is the forced prostitution of minors, which has been documented in the community for at least a decade.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has been targeted by local law enforcement agencies. On at least one occasion, local law enforcement has arrested and disclosed the identities of individuals attempting to purchase sex. In July 2012, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation at a Mauldin motel that resulted in the arrests of five individuals. It is unclear if formal “reverse” sting tactics were used during the operation; however, among those arrested were two men, each of whom was reportedly charged with “loitering to engage in prostitution.” All five arrestees’ identities and mugshots were released to the press in an effort to deter other would-be offenders.