Appears the FBI's 8th annual 'Operation Cross Country' took place over the weekend.

By my count there were at least 42 arrests.

According to an FBI press release (http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/168-juveniles-recovered-in-nationwide-operation-targeting-commercial-child-sex-trafficking); 2 juveniles were recovered and 14 pimps arrested.

2 were arrested on human trafficking complaints.

I count another 28 individuals arrested offering to engage in prostitution. All prostitutes, no 'Johns.' So maybe they should have called it 'Operation COP a Feel.'

A degreed OUHSC research assistant was caught up in the sting. Along with a young aspiring model out of Texas.

Looks like all the arrests came from Backpage.com ads.

Amazing they can still pull in the arrest numbers they do considering its no secret they do this sting every year in June or July.

It will probably be on the local news sometime soon with more info.

Meanwhile there was a child prostitution bust in Colorado: Colorado kids rescued in prostitution stings (http://www.9news.com/story/news/crime/2014/06/23/child-sex-trafficking-ring-bust/11272535/)

You have to use a bit of a filter with the FBI's terminology/stats when it comes to this annual national sting.

They claim 281 "pimps" arrested nation wide (14 in Oklahoma). That's a bit misleading (and they know it). The public assumes since the FBI calls them "pimps" that not only are they, but that they will also be charged as pimps. Not true. In an overwhelming majority of cases they will be charged with misdemeanor aiding and abetting (many won't get charged at all). Locally, that conviction usually gets you a fine of $50-$200 and a deferred for 6-months to 2-years. If you have serious priors you may get a suspended as opposed to a deferred. Hardly justice against "pimps."

In reality, most are pimps, but a lot are also just other prostitutes who happened to be the driver.

They also bounce back and forth using the term "rescued" or "recovered" when referring to the juveniles. "Recovered" is probably the more realistic term. I can only speak from a local perspective, but most often the teens (14yrs old +) that are taken into custody in these stings end up returning to the streets.

Its a bit frustrating with all this effort, none was used to target the demand side of the equation - the 'Johns.'

Isn't there some fella out there in OKC "exposing" all those "Johns" by following them and capturing their activities on video? I remember seeing something about him on TV a few years back.

Isn't there some fella out there in OKC "exposing" all those "Johns" by following them and capturing their activities on video? I remember seeing something about him on TV a few years back.

Yes, I bet a lot of people thought he needed to mind his own business. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people who lived in the neighborhood didn't mind much.

The interview I did with Ch4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcpSARh4wgI

Now I remember!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYlANsPZdao

That's really old.

Yes, I bet a lot of people thought he needed to mind his own business. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people who lived in the neighborhood didn't mind much.

Had a guy who's lived in the neighborhood 33 years contact me out of the blue two weeks ago and took me to Grill on the Hill for lunch - just because.

Appears the FBI's 8th annual 'Operation Cross Country' took place over the weekend.



A degreed OUHSC research assistant was caught up in the sting.



Wow. An intelligent young woman doing something consensual with her body. THE HORROR.

That's really old.

Shoot, I'm really old...but, I "remembered" seeing it on TV...when I wasn't really old. :)

Had a guy who's lived in the neighborhood 33 years contact me out of the blue two weeks ago and took me to Grill on the Hill for lunch - just because.

And you mention this, because...

And you mention this, because...

Should have been pretty obvious. I referenced a quote above my response regarding, "I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people who lived in the neighborhood didn't mind much." My reply simply bolstered that.

Should have been pretty obvious. I referenced a quote above my response regarding, "I wouldn't be surprised if a number of people who lived in the neighborhood didn't mind much." My reply simply bolstered that.

Oh, I don't mind seeing folks pat themselves on the back once in awhile. Heck, I used to do it every time I hit a homerun, back in my baseball days.

Can anyone explain why prostitution is illegal again? All you have to do is make sure you have a video camera with you and say you are doing it for a porn shoot and it becomes legal. Prostitution is bad but if people make money off of it by filming it, it becomes good right? Sexual intercourse is the reason why we are all here today. It is a natural instinct and if people want to make a profit from it then by all means let them do it.

Legalizing it will ensure that the women and men can be safe by having a nice place to go to instead of looking in shady areas.

Can anyone explain why prostitution is illegal again? All you have to do is make sure you have a video camera with you and say you are doing it for a porn shoot and it becomes legal. Prostitution is bad but if people make money off of it by filming it, it becomes good right? Sexual intercourse is the reason why we are all here today. It is a natural instinct and if people want to make a profit from it then by all means let them do it.

Legalizing it will ensure that the women and men can be safe by having a nice place to go to instead of looking in shady areas.

Anything between two consenting adults that is within reason should be perfectly legal.

Oh, I don't mind seeing folks pat themselves on the back once in awhile. Heck, I used to do it every time I hit a homerun, back in my baseball days.

Not sure admitting some stranger bought you a $7 lunch is exactly patting oneself on the back. But, okay.

Can anyone explain why prostitution is illegal again? All you have to do is make sure you have a video camera with you and say you are doing it for a porn shoot and it becomes legal. Prostitution is bad but if people make money off of it by filming it, it becomes good right? Sexual intercourse is the reason why we are all here today. It is a natural instinct and if people want to make a profit from it then by all means let them do it.

Legalizing it will ensure that the women and men can be safe by having a nice place to go to instead of looking in shady areas.

Naturally I'd disagree with much of what you stated. Possibly because our experiences and perspectives are different, who knows.....

I have a post on my website that pretty much covers my argument and its a long post, so I'll just link to it (http://johntv.com/legalization-of-prostitution-as-a-solution/).

When people argue for the legalization of prostitution I think its important to know exactly why they think it should be legal and what they think legalization will accomplish.

I've been of the opinion - and stated many times - that prostitution that is 100% private, consensual and unorganized should be decriminalized (not legalized, big difference). However, I only take that stance so that our limited resources can be concentrated on fighting public, forced and organized prostitution and human trafficking - not because I think its some individual right, human nature, blah, blah, blah......

Actually the manufacturing or pornography is still illegal in Oklahoma. However, prosecutors for many years now have elected not to go down that road unless it involves a minor because obscenity laws are so subjective. Some publication did a story on that topic some time ago and the DA said it wasn't a priority.

People are free to have whatever opinion regarding the legality of prostitution that they want - within my circle of friends the opinions run the gamut.

I just think people should know exactly what it is that they are endorsing and what positive effect they think it will have on society as a whole and upon the individual.

In short, would legalization allow the independent consensual adult to engage in the activity without worry of arrest? Yes. Would it positively and remarkably impact other types of prostitution - street, organized, forced, child, or any other types outside the boundaries of legalization? Nope.

But if your argument is simply to make it legal for the consensual independent woman working behind closed doors, with no concern for the other aspects listed previously, then I'd say that's a valid argument. Just don't fool yourself into making it more noble than it is.

Can anyone explain why prostitution is illegal again?

Depends on where you live...or where Southwest Airlines takes ya. And, if I may add...I am pretty sure this is on Hillary's and/or Bill's list of "Things To Do," after they move back into the White House in 2017.

Anything between two consenting adults that is within reason should be perfectly legal.

As long as everyone's of legal age and the livestock don't get hurt, hell, go for it.

The interview I did with Ch4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcpSARh4wgI

I didn't realize that was you.

On a related note
House and Senate Leaders Announce Bipartisan Agreement to Prevent Child Sex Trafficking, Increase Adoptions, and Improve Child Support Collections | House Committee on Ways & Means (http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=386089&utm_source=June+27+TWIW&utm_campaign=TWIW+4%2F14&utm_medium=email)

House and Senate Leaders Announce Agreement on Sex Trafficking Bill

On June 26, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Dave Camp (R-MI) and Sandy Levin (D-MI), joined the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), in announcing an agreement on the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980).

The agreement combines several bills that recently passed the House and three that the Senate Finance Committee had reported. APHSA has been providing input on the bills to both the Ways and Means and Finance Committees over the past several months.

The draft legislation is designed to encourage states to reduce the incidence of sex trafficking among youth in their care. State child welfare agencies are required to identify, document, and determine appropriate services for children in foster care, or otherwise involved in the child welfare system, who are victims of child sex trafficking or at risk of becoming victims. The bill also requires state agencies to promote "normalcy" for foster youth by promoting participation in age appropriate, social, scholastic, and enrichment activities and ends the "Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement" (APPLA) option for foster youth under age 16.

The bill also reauthorizes the Adoption Incentives Program for three years and the Family Connection Grants demonstration program for one year. It phases in a new rewards structure based on the rate of increase in adoptions instead of the number and for the first time provides awards for guardianship placements.

In addition, the legislation requires state child support agencies to use the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM). The NIEM establishes standards for the electronic exchange of data with other state agencies to improve interoperability and administration of programs. This provision aligns the use of NIEM in child support with current law for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child welfare, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and unemployment insurance. The NIEM provision is consistent with the work APHSA has been doing to promote the use of the data exchange model as a fundamental component of a federal project that will modernize the administration of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).

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