In March 2017,  two men were arrested and faced felony prostitution charges for crimes against two Staunton teenagers.  Police began investigating two Staunton girls, ages 15 and 16, in February after it was reported they were receiving cash and gifts in exchange for access to sexual assault the children.  One suspect was accused of meeting with both girls multiple times on separate occasions between November and January, and each girl received anywhere from $300 to $400 for sexual abuse.  The other defendant was accused of sexually abusing the 15-year-old girl for $120.  The suspects made contact with the teens on the internet. Both men had two cell phones seized by police. The parents of the girls reportedly gave consent for authorities to search the girls’ computers and phones. Police established a sting operation, and the suspects made contact and allegedly made arrangements to meet one of the teenage girls at a local motel, where they were arrested.

In June 2018, police arrested a man in Staunton on child molestation and prostitution charges. The Staunton Police Department received information that the suspect allegedly began molesting a young girl under the age of 15 beginning in 2017.  Authorities arrested the suspect and charged him with three felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, along with single felony counts of aggravated sexual battery and prostitution. A police report did not provide details concerning the prostitution allegation, but since the charges involve the suspect having sex and no charges for serving as a pimp or promoting prostitution, it can be assumed he had purchased sexual abuse of the minor.