Mesa police: 21 men arrested in prostitution sting

More than 20 men were arrested as part of a Mesa police prostitution sting, the department said Wednesday.

Operation Rocket used officers and undercover detectives from various units within the department, who placed ads on websites commonly used by people seeking illegal sex acts.

The 21 men either solicited or brokered deals for various sex acts and were arrested when they showed up to the agreed-upon location, the department said.

The men range in age from 28 to 67 years old and all face charges related to soliciting prostitution, police said.

Two of the men face additional charges for crimes such as marijuana possession and sale and aggravated assault.

The department, in a press release, said it regularly conducts prostitution stings in an effort to "reduce the demand that fuels human sex trafficking from our community."

Mesa police partners with organizations and survivor advocates to provide resources for trafficking victims, officials said.

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