Dozens arrested in Central Texas sex, human trafficking sting

Dozens of people have been arrested and a handful remain at large after a month-long undercover sex and human trafficking sting in Central Texas, McLennan County investigators announced Friday.

As of Friday morning, 56 people had been arrested and authorities were still searching for five others.

Charges range from prostitution to promotion of prostitution to compelling prostitution, to conspiracy to commit human trafficking to continuous trafficking of persons and prostitution of a minor

Others were charged with offenses including tampering with evidence, interference with public duties, evading arrest, resisting arrest, drug possession, theft and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Detectives posed as both prostitutes and customers during the operation, which started on May 16.

In five cases, suspects face federal charges for transporting prostitutes across state lines, investigators said.

In one case, twin brothers arrived expecting to hook up with a prostitute, but instead were greeted by deputies, sheriff’s Detective Brad Bond said.

The sting was the fifth that the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office has conducted in the past 19 months.

The first operation led to 20 arrests, the second to 29, the third to 44 and the fourth to 49.

“We'll keep doing these sex stings…because we hope to shut down this area to such activity,” McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said Friday.