Damariscotta is a city of approximately 1,350 residents in mid-coastal Maine, in Lincoln County. Prostitution activity has been well-documented within the county, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies. For example, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office charged eight people with prostitution-related crimes after an “extensive” investigation that began with a complaint received by the Damariscotta Police Department in April 2017 and involved ads placed on Craigslist and Backpage. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking.

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. For example, in July 2017, seven men were  arrested and charged for attempting to purchase sex, and their identities were included in news reports.  All charges in the investigation were class E misdemeanors, with a maximum penalty of six months in jail. The Damariscotta, Milbridge, and South Portland police departments, as well as the Everett, MA department, assisted in the investigation.