Switzerland County, IN

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

Switzerland County is situated in the southeast corner of Indiana. Its population is roughly 11,000, and its county seat is Vevay, one of just two incorporated towns in the county. Prostitution activity has been well-documented within the county for more than a century, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies. For example, in June, 1891, court proceedings list a case of a man charged in Switzerland County court with prostitution, and his identity was publicly disclosed. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking. In 2007, a local man was convicted and sentenced for promoting prostitution, child exploitation, and drug offenses, which he later appealed.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. Demand reduction tactics used in the county include the arrest of sex buyers and the public disclosure of their identities. For example, in May, 2019, a local man was arrested after being accused of various child sexual abuse charges including Attempted Promoting Prostitution (level 4 felony), Child Solicitation (level 5 felony), and Child Molesting (Level 4 felony). The investigation began after the victim told a school resource officer that she was being abused. The child was interviewed about the alleged abuse by forensic interviewers at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana. The man’s identity was included in news reports.

Key Partners

  • Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office
  • Switzerland County Jail
State Indiana
Type County
Population 10727
Location
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