Nine arrested in child sexual exploitation sting

CANADIAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — Nine men are in jail following an undercover operation targeting individuals involved with child prostitution.

Five of those men tried to pay for sex from what they believed was a 16-year-old female prostitute.

The undercover operation took place from August 29 to September 2. Multiple agencies worked together to place a decoy ad on a website for under-age prostitution, then communicating with the suspects about when and where to meet up.

"People that are preying on kids that have been put into human trafficking situation, internet crimes against children situation, and people that are trying to purchase, and where parents sell their kids," said Major Adam Flowers with the Canadian County Sheriffs Office.

In total, nine men were arrested, six for engaging in child prostitution, one for possession of child abuse material and two for soliciting sex with a minor.

"The first night during the conversation, the suspect that tried to purchase the 11-year-old also admitted that he put his hands on an 8-year-old, and we're trying to locate that victim as well," Major Flowers said.

The Canadian County Sheriffs Office worked together with Safe from Online Sex Abuse (SOSA) during this operation.

"We used a popular social media site that kind of caters to human trafficking," Major Flowers said. "Right off the bat, the first night of the operation, we arrested a suspect that was doing it."

Five men tried to pay for sex from what they believed was a 16-year-old female prostitute. One tried to purchase sex from an 11-year-old.

Officers undercover were the ones communicating with the suspects through text messages.

"The very first night, we had a predator that showed up that tried to purchase an hour of sex with an 11-year-old for $300, and we took him down," Flowers said.

Eventually, each person went to meet up with who they thought were under-age prostitutes.

When they got there, police were waiting on them and arrested each individual.

"If you believe that your children are being exploited or preyed on online, contact us," Major Flowers said. "Contact your local law enforcement agency. You can contact the sheriff's department, OSBI, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Don't think that you're alone in this. So please, please, please. If you see something, say something."

All nine men are currently in the Canadian County Jail on bonds up to $100,000.