Mandan is the eighth-largest city in North Dakota with approximately 24,500 residents.  It is located in central North Dakota, serves as the county seat of Morton County. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city, surrounding communities, and in other areas of the Morton County. This activity, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates result in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. For example, in 1977, the Mandan Police Department investigated possible violations of controlled substance laws and noted suspicious activity consistent with prostitution in a club. A subsequent sting operation led to the arrest of two women on prostitution charges. Prostitution continues to be linked to drug abuse and trafficking. For example, in July 2019, authorities in Mandan reported that a prostitution sting led to a substantial methamphetamine bust. Burleigh County Sheriff’s Office officials said that the agency began the sting in late June with a deputy posing on social media as a prostituted woman. A 49-year-old Mandan man contacted the deputy and made arrangements to meet, after which he was arrested. A search of his home led to the discovery of three pounds of methamphetamine in his bedroom closet and $80,000 in cash. The man faced a felony drug charge and a misdemeanor charge of hiring a person to engage in sexual activity. A 39-year-old man and a 71-year-old man were also arrested in the sting.

Police have apprehended sex buyers as the result of investigations of alleged prostitution and trafficking. For example, in 1999, a prostituted woman and a male sex buyer were arrested at a local hotel by Mandan police after an off-duty officer allegedly saw the woman passing out business cards to men at the strip club where she worked. The cards contained her name, phone number, and the location of the hotel where she was staying. Upon their arrival at the hotel, officers cited the woman for prostitution and the male sex buyer for soliciting prostitution (both misdemeanors). The names of arrestees were included in reports from local media outlets.