Prostitution sting ends in multiple arrests

HARLINGEN — Harlingen police arrested a number of citizens over the weekend who were soliciting prostitution.

The Harlingen Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit conducted a large-scale sex trade sting resulting in a total of 16 arrests over two days.

“I’m proud of the work of the Harlingen Police Department during this weekend operation in remaining vigilant in enforcement of those who help perpetuate the sex trade in our community,” Harlingen Police Chief Jeffry Adickes said yesterday.

The operation ran from Friday, July 21 through Saturday, July 22 and was concentrated near “C” Street, “D” Street and Van Buren (Gutierrez Park area).

Undercover police officers were approached by the suspects and solicited or agreed to engage in a sex act for compensation.

All 16 suspects were arrested immediately after the solicitation and transported to the Harlingen Police Department for processing.

The names of those arrested in the sting include:

– Mauru Padilla, 39

– Armando Rodiguez Jr, 22

– Carlos Martinez, 24

– Edgar Hernanez, 29

– Joel Rodriguez, 26

– Jaime Ganoa, 41

– Jay Dwight, 60

– Jose Alvarado, 50

– Usbaldo Garza, 41

– Jose Garza, 74

– Jose Hernandez, 19

– Juan Galvan, 28

– Leonel Jimenez, 50

– Miguel Casarez, 71

– William Flowers, 58

– Teresa Flores, 43

All transactions were audio and video recorded for courtroom purposes.

This operation was made possible by funding of a Texas Border Star grant that assists law enforcement agencies in battling issues such as organized crime, human trafficking of women, men, children, and immigrants who many times are forced into the sex trade, or sex slave trade by force, fear, intimidation, or drugs.

According to estimates, approximately 2.5 million people are being trafficked around the world.

Approximately 80 percent are women and children.

This operation focused on those who by their participation as customers perpetuate this crime, its victims, the families of the victims, and the families of the suspects who they return to.

The Harlingen Police Department worked with multiple law enforcement partners involved in the success of the operation.

The departments included the State of Texas, the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, Combes Police Department, and the City of Harlingen Municipal Court.

“Whether it is via human trafficking and the sex slave trade or by their own circumstances the degradation, abuse, and slow deterioration or death can victimize the prostitute, or the person and their unknowing family who pays for sex,” Adickes said.