Clayton Township is a charter township of about 7,000 residents, located just east of Flint in Genesee County, Michigan. Local residents and business owners have filed complaints with law enforcement in the past regarding the “sexual activity” at an area rest stop, including suspected prostitution activity.

In response, the Clayton Township Police Department conducted a series of stings at the rest stop in 2007. During the operations, undercover officers placed calls to a rest stop pay phone that was allegedly being used by individuals “hoping to hook up with someone at the rest area.” Male and female officers would then engage in conversations with the individuals who answered the phone, and arrange to meet them for sex at a nearby location. When asked about the stings in 2007, a representative with the CTPD reported they were conducting them 1-2 times a year to arrest “solicitors.” Interestingly, the department noted that the majority of those picked up during the stings were local residents and not long-haul truckers.

Following the operations, members of the local media reported that the majority (80%) of those arrested were attempting to solicit sex from someone of the same gender, and did not offer to exchange money for sex. At least one sex buyer, however, was picked up during the operation after he offered a 19-year-old female police decoy $35 for sex. His identity was released to the public.