White County, Arkansas has a population of about 77,000 and its county seat is the city of Searcy. It is located in central Arkansas roughly 60 miles northeast of Little Rock. Crimes associated with the local prostitution market include drugs, child sex trafficking, and child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). For example, in February 2021, a 42-year-old registered sex offender from White County was arrested for internet stalking of a child, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, and sexual indecency with a child following an incident in October 2019. The man contacted a minor through SnapChat, but the message was seen by an adult whose phone the teenager used to contact friends. The man, thinking he was speaking to the teenager, “asked her to steal pain medication” in exchange for sex acts with her “again.” The girl disclosed that the man “forced her to have sex with him” on two previous occasions, as well as exchanging nude and sexually explicit photos, which were found on the man’s laptop. Though no reverse stings have been conducted in the county to our knowledge, at least two sex buyer arrests have occurred in White County.

In April 2010, Region 8 police conducted a two-week investigation into online prostitution that led to the arrest of two people. According to the White County Sheriff’s Department, a woman and a man were arrested on prostitution charges after the woman placed an ad on Craigslist. The woman’s Craigslist ad said she was looking for a “Sugar Daddy.” Police responded to the ad and set up a place to meet after exchanging texts and emails with the woman, who requested that the person bring prescription pain pills as payment for sex. Police arrested the woman at her home for prostitution and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance without a prescription. A few days later, police received a text on one of the woman’s phones from a man who wanted to meet her for prostitution. Police arranged a meeting place and then arrested and charged the man with sexual solicitation. His identity was released to the press.

In January 2018, a Beebe man who worked as a part-time court security officer was placed on administrative leave following his arrest for “patronizing a prostitute.” Not many details were released about the arrest, but the man’s identity was released to the press. According to the White County Courthouse, the man worked with the county’s first division circuit court, and the judge’s office confirmed the man was on leave due to his arrest but would not say if it was temporary or permanent.