Madison Lake is a city of approximately 1,200 residents, located in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city, surrounding communities, and in other areas of the county. This activity, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates result in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses.

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 October 2017,  police conducted a web-based reverse sting, specifically targeting those who were looking to sexually abuse children. Investigators were able to arrest six suspects, using this demand reduction tactic. During this sting, Sheriff’s Deputies posted ads on websites often used for the solicitation of sex. It advertised underaged girls, who wanted money in exchange for sex. Once a line of communication was open, a meeting place was established, but when suspects arrived, they were arrested. Some of the individuals offered narcotics in exchange for sex. The names, ages, and pictures of the suspects were made available after they were charged.  More than 150 people have been arrested for prostitution-related crimes in Nicollet, Brown, and Blue Earth counties between 2015-2017.