Inver Grove Heights, MN

Tactics Used

Auto Seizure
Buyer Arrests
Cameras
Community Service
Employment Loss
Identity Disclosure
IT Based Tactics
John School
Letters
License Suspension
Neighborhood Action
Public Education
Reverse Stings
SOAP Orders
Web Stings

Inver Grove Heights is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota and has a population of about 36,000. It is one of 186 cities and townships in the seven-county MinneapolisSaint Paul metropolitan area. Prostitution and sex trafficking in the Twin Cities metro area have been well documented, and includes activity in Inver Grove Heights. 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 2016 a web-based reverse sting was conducted by the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, with assistance from a special agent with Homeland Security. One man was arrested after he responded via email to an online ad suggesting access to sexually abuse a juvenile was for sale. A Homeland Security agent responded that it would cost $50-100 for various sex acts and that the girl was 15-years-old. The man continued communication via email, text, and phone calls, and arranged to meet to buy sex at a hotel room in Inver Grove Heights, where he was arrested. He admitted to talking with a girl on Craigslist and that he came to the hotel to “have sex or whatever.” He was charged with prostitution and prostitution in a public place. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. He was convicted of misdemeanor prostitution in 2017; the second gross misdemeanor charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to one year of probation and three days in jail and was fined $300.

Key Partners

  • Inver Grove Heights Police Department
  • Department of Homeland Security
State Minnesota
Type City
Population 35541
Location
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