Plymouth is a suburb abutting the western edge of Minneapolis, Minnesota in Hennepin County, near Maple Grove.  The city has a population of about 75,000.

On at least two occasions, law enforcement have targeted the underlying demand for commercial sex that drives the local prostitution market. In May 2012, the Plymouth Police Department’s special investigation unit conducted a joint web-based sting targeting both johns and individuals offering commercial sex acts. The operation resulted in the arrests of eight attempted sex buyers and four attempted sex sellers. Within 10 minutes of posting the ad, the PPD reported they had received two calls from prospective johns. After the female special investigator established a meeting location at a local hotel, the unit set up its operation in an adjoining room. Individuals were arrested after arriving at the location and soliciting the undercover officer.