Burlington is a city of approximately 151,000 residents located in central North Carolina, in Alamance County. Prostitution and sex trafficking have been well-documented in the city. 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. Reverse stings have been conducted by the Burlington Police Department (BPD) in response to complaints and tips about prostitution in certain areas of the city, and to alleviate problems such as prostitution-related child endangerment. Those arrested have their names, ages, charges, and photos provided to the media.

In July 2018, four men were charged with soliciting prostitution in a weekend undercover operation by Burlington police. The reverse sting was organized in the Ireland Street area “in response to community complaints and concerns” about prostitution, according to a BPD news release. In March 2018, Burlington police arrested five men accused of soliciting prostitution after multiple complaints in the community. All five faced charges of solicitation for prostitution and received secured bonds as low as $500 and unsecured bonds as high as $2,500. In December 2019, eleven men were arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution after an undercover operation by the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, Burlington and Graham police, and the State Bureau of Investigation.  Detectives had placed an online ad promoting sexual services, and the 11 suspects solicited the services. The suspects were arrested when they arrived at the operation’s location. Those arrested were charged with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution, and their identities were included in news releases.

In March, 2022, members of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office Human Exploitation Team conducted an undercover operation, investigating individuals who were soliciting prostitution. During the investigation, Detectives conducted a traffic stop on an individual who had solicited prostitution for money. A probable cause search was conducted on the suspect’s vehicle where illegal drugs located inside the trunk of his vehicle. The man was arrested and transported to the Alamance County Detention Center.  His identity and home address were published in news reports.