Posing as women soliciting sex for money, undercover sheriff officers on September posted online ads and offered to meet potential takers at a Goleta motel. The two-day sting resulted in 17 arrests, the youngest was year old Joshua Silverstein of Santa Barbara and the oldest was year old Frank Palmer of Goleta. The operation was part of a larger effort against human trafficking countywide. The number of human trafficking victims has grown in the county over the past two years.
In the last five years, the task force has noticed a significant increase in the number of online ads, said Olmstead. The 17 men arrested were booked and released with a notice to appear for violation of solicitation of prostitution, a misdemeanor.
More often than not, first-time offenders serve no jail time. Defendants can also make deals or plea agreements with the court to reduce their penalty. Username or Email Address. Remember Me. Courtesy Photo Posing as women soliciting sex for money, undercover sheriff officers on September posted online ads and offered to meet potential takers at a Goleta motel. Add to Favorites. More Like This. Sending the Right Message During a Disaster. Sign up here.
