Morgan County is located in central Missouri, and has a population of about 21,000. Prostitution and sex trafficking activity have been well-documented in the communities and unincorporated 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. For example, in April 2011, Morgan County authorities reported having broken up a prostitution ring. A woman and her daughter allegedly were in charge of the criminal enterprise, and were arrested and each charged with promoting prostitution in the 2nd degree. A sting resulted in several prostitution arrests. Investigators used a website, “Bama Friends,” to set up the undercover operation. The brothel in a storefront “Spa” used the website to recruit buyers and set up meetings with prostituted people.

To combat prostitution and sex trafficking in the area, local law enforcement agencies have targeted consumer-level demand, which provides the revenue stream driving all prostitution and sex trafficking. For example, in August 2018, an alleged sex buyer was arrested by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and charged with patronizing prostitution, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His identity was disclosed in news releases.