Pittsylvania County, Virginia, has a population of roughly 60,000, and its government seat is the city of Chatham. Prostitution activity has been well-documented in the city and 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 June 2014, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office arrested six people during a prostitution sting set up by their Special Investigation Division and Cybercrimes Division. Four of the six arrested were men, who were seen soliciting prostitution from an undercover officer. One of the men admitted to driving someone to the hotel to commit prostitution. The two women arrested were charged with prostitution after offering an undercover officer sex in exchange for money. One of the women is also being charged with identity theft along with two charges of forging public records after signing a false name on an “advisal of rights form” and “permission to search form.”