Anniston, Alabama is a city of about 21,000 residents, located at roughly the midpoint between Atlanta and Birmingham, along the Interstate 20 corridor. It is the county seat of Calhoun County. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking. For example, in February, 2003, six people were indicted by a grand jury in connection with a strip club in Anniston, which was a front for prostitution, according to a statement released by the U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

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. At least one reverse sting has been conducted in in the city, in 2007. That operation resulted in the arrest of 12 sex buyers, who were charged with Class A misdemeanors.