16 arrested in reverse prostitution sting

CINCINNATI - Sixteen people were arrested as a result of a reverse prostitution sting put on by Cincinnati police.

Cincinnati police conducted the sting earlier in August on a stretch of McMicken Avenue in the Clifton/University Heights/Fairview neighborhoods. Police say they targeted the stretch after receiving numerous complaints of prostitution related crimes occurring in the area.

In addition to the arrests, 11 vehicles were impounded and 13 civil citations were issued for using a motor vehicle in a prostitution-related offense.

The identities of those arrested were not immediately released by Cincinnati police.

The sting was in collaboration with a national sweep named “Operation: Buyer Beware”, a strategy to highlight sex buyers as perpetrators and bring an end to prostitution and sex trafficking. Twenty law enforcement agencies in 11 states participated in the 10 day event, arresting 268 “Johns” and impounding 128 motor vehicles, according to Cincinnati police.

The Cincinnati Police Department warns those who are caught attempting to purchase illegal commercial sex that they will be arrested, their vehicles will be seized and they will receive a civil citation which carries a $500 fine.