By: Katie Jones
kjones@cbs4qc.com
An undercover prostitution sting in Muscatine lands dozens of people behind bars. Muscatine County officials said thanks to technology and good old fashioned police work, in just a couple of days, authorities were able to arrest 26 people on prostitution charges, and one person for human trafficking.
Muscatine County attorney Alan Ostergren said police found out first hand, prostitution can and does happen outside of bigger cities.
"We conducted the operation to gauge what kind of activity was occurring and I feel like the numbers show it is a significant issue," said Ostergren.
More than 40 officers from several different agencies across Iowa busted these people who are now accused of some sort of sex trade. Ostergren said the sting started with undercover officers posing as a sex buyer or seller, introduced themselves to the suspects online then met them at different motels in Muscatine.
"People may think that certain activities are low risk but you never know if the person you're dealing with is a police officer," said Ostergren.
Actions that reap big consequences and officials said let this sting serve as a warning. "One of my goals was that when people were in this area and thinking about buying or selling sex illegally that they'd think twice about it and I hope that will occur because of this," said Ostergren.
If convicted, each of the accused could spend between one and five years in prison.
