Florence, SC
Categories:
Tactics Used |
|
---|---|
Reverse stings | ✓ |
Shaming | ✓ |
Auto seizure | ✓ |
Community service | ✓ |
Public education | ✓ |
Neighborhood action | ✓ |
SOAP orders | ✓ |
John school | ✓ |
Letters | ✓ |
Cameras | ✓ |
Web stings | ✓ |
License suspension | ✓ |
Florence is a city in South Carolina with a population of 37,000, located about 70 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach. A wide range of problems associated with the local commercial sex market have been documented in this small city, including johns being robbed while soliciting sex and the local activity of a serial killer that specifically targeted prostituted women. Among the efforts to contain local sex trafficking and prostitution activity have been the use of tactics focusing on combating demand. Reverse stings have been used to arrest johns in the city since at least 2010, possibly earlier. In one operation in 2010, 11 men were arrested for solicitation and their names, ages, and addresses were published in local media.
The Florence Police Department also routinely conducts web-based reverse stings using decoy ads on websites known for commercial sex sales. One such operation was conducted in October 2013 at an area hotel located on US 52 near I-95. The operation was initiated in response to complaints from area motel managers of an increase in prostitution activity in the area. An undercover female sheriff’s deputy posed as a prostituted woman advertising online. Numerous individuals responded to the ad and five suspects arranged for a meeting with the undercover deputy. The five suspects were arrested when they verbally agreed to exchange money for sex. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office PACE team and Florence Police Department narcotics investigators also assisted in the operation. Other web-based reversals include a sting in August 2013 that led to 10 arrests, another in December 2013 that netted seven johns, one in January 2014 resulting in three arrested sex buyers, and a fourth operation conducted in December 2014 that intercepted nine men attempted to purchase sex.
Arrested sex buyers can face a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or 30 days in jail.
Key Sources
- Reverse Stings:
- Web-Based Reverse Stings with Shaming:
- “Florence Police Target Internet-Based Prostitution”, Florence Morning News, July 31 2011.
- “Florence Police Crack Down on Prostitution”, Florence Morning News, August 10 2013.
- “5 Charged in Florence County Prostitution Sting”, CBS/WBTW-TV 13, October 16 2013.
- “Five Men Arrested After Reverse Prostitution Sting”, NBC/WMBF-TV 10, October 16 2013.
- “Investigators Target ‘Johns’ in Prostitution Sting”, Florence Morning News, October 16 2013.
- “Undercover Deputy Poses as Prostitute During Sting That Lands Five Men in Jail”, ABC/WPDE-TV 15, October 16 2013.
- “Florence Police Department Prostitution Sting Nets 11 Arrests”, Florence Morning News, December 19 2013.
- “Several Nabbed in Florence Prostitution Bust Involving Website Ads”, CBS/WNCT-TV 9, December 19 2013.
- “11 Arrested in Florence Police Dept. Online Prostitution Sting”, NBC/WMBF-TV 10, December 20 2013.
- “Florence Deputies Arrest 3 in Prostitution Sting Involving Website”, CBS/WBTW-TV 13, January 17 2014.
- “Three Men Arrested in Florence Prostitution Sting”, Florence Morning News, January 19 2014.
- “Three Men Charged in Florence Prostitution Sting”, NBC/WMBF-TV 10, January 19 2014.
- “Florence Police Arrest Nine Suspects in Prostitution Sting,” Florence Morning News, December 19 2014.
- Documented Violence Against Individuals Engaged in Prostitution in the Area:
- “A Body Found 11 Years Ago at a Lamar, SC, Rest Area Is Identified”, CBS/WFMY-TV 2, September 13 2011.
- “Admitted Murderer Linked to 11 Year Old Remains”, NBC/WMBF-TV 10, September 13 2011.
- “Long-Haul Trucker Who Lived with His Mother Is a ‘Serial Killer Who Has Murdered Prostitutes Across U.S.”, Daily Mail (U.K.), September 19 2011.
- “Memorial Held for Woman Found Slain in Darlington County”, Florence Morning News, November 2 2011.
- “John Boyer, Trucker, Killed 3 Prostitutes Across South: Police”, Huffington Post, November 19 2011.
- “11 Arrested in Florence Police Dept. Online Prostitution Sting”, NBC/WMBF-TV 10, December 20 2013.
State | South Carolina |
Type | City |
Population | 31431 |
Location |
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