Mustang is a city in the southeastern corner of Canadian County, Oklahoma. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical area, and has a population of approximately 21,000. Prostitution activity has been well-documented throughout the Oklahoma City region for decades. For example, residents of Mustang have been caught in prostitution reverse stings in Oklahoma City since at least 1993. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to local law enforcement agencies. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking. For example, in October, 2004, an alleged prostitution ring was broken up and resulted in 26 felony charges being filed against four people in Canadian County District Court. The four were believed to be part of a prostitution ring at a truck stop at Interstate 40 and S Morgan Road, in west Oklahoma City. The charges included unlawful transport of a child under the age of 18 for the purpose of prostitution, conspiracy to transport a child under age 18 for the purpose of prostitution, and engaging in prostitution. The defendants were alleged to have transported youths, some under the age of 16, to the truck stop for the purpose of having the youths sexually abused in change for money.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and demand reduction tactics  – including reverse stings, identity disclosure, and employment loss – have been used in the city. For example, in January, 2023, the former mayor of Mustang was arrested in a prostitution sting after undercover detectives caught him attempting to pay for sex acts.  The man served on the Mustang Public Schools board of education following his departure of the office of mayor of Mustang. Mustang Public Schools said the man subsequently resigned his post on the board of education and was no longer running for re-election.

In March, 2023, the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office announced that they had arrested an Oklahoma City-based attorney after he allegedly drove to a Mustang residence in order to pay to sexually assault a 5 year-old girl. Investigators confirmed that they were contacted by a confidential informant (CI) who reported that the man had contacted her and requested “to arrange a meet for sex with an underaged child.” The CI worked with Sheriff’s investigators and assisted in carrying out a sting operation. Officials said the man communicated in detail with the CI via text messages and phone calls about wanting to sexually abuse an underage girl. The man was taken into custody after he allegedly gave the informant $400.00 to be allowed to sexually assault a five-year old child. Investigators were able to obtain and execute a search warrant for the man’s residence, where they seized a number of electronic devices, including an Ipad, laptop computers and his personal cell phone. The man was arrested for “Lewd Acts with a Child Under 12” and “Soliciting Child Prostitution.” He was transported to the Canadian County Detention Facility, and his bond was set at $200k.  Investigators continued their investigation to determine whether there were more victims.