Sex sting nabs 64 men in Houston

Capt. Dan Harris head of the HPD Vice Division, left, and Lt. Cathy Richards of the HPD Vice Division, right, speak to the media after a sting operation, Wednesday, March 4, 2015, in Houston. More than 60 men have been snared in a sting operation as they allegedly tried to pay for sex earlier this year at a bogus modeling studio police opened in the Houston area. less Capt. Dan Harris head of the HPD Vice Division, left, and Lt. Cathy Richards of the HPD Vice Division, right, speak to the media after a sting operation, Wednesday, March 4, 2015, in Houston. More than 60 men ... more Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close Sex sting nabs 64 men in Houston 1 / 90 Back to Gallery

More than 60 men have been snared in a sting operation as they allegedly tried to pay for sex earlier this year at a bogus modeling studio police opened in the Houston area.

The undercover operation began Jan. 20 when police set up a phony business in southwest Houston, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said hundreds of potential customers contacted the phony studio about paying for sex. Ultimately, police identified 64 men who went to the bogus business and agreed to buy sex from undercover officers. They were charged with prostitution, a Class B misdemeanor. Of those, 40 have been arrested, beginning Feb. 19, while twenty-four remain at large.

If convicted, the men each face up to a year in jail and as much as a $2,000 fine.

The undercover operation was at least weeks in the planning.

Police placed an advertisement on an adult website offering sex with women, said Lt. Cathy Richards of the HPD Vice Division. A phone number was provided in the ad and when people contacted the bogus business they were given an address to a nondescript store front along with a suite number. There was no sign on the building or suite.

Once inside, the would-be customers were asked what they wanted and were able to chose from an assortment of women, Richards said. When an agreement was made for sexual contact and a price determined, police officers entered the fake studio, saying they were inspecting the business for proper permits. The customers were asked for identification and then allowed to leave. They were later arrested.

The ruse of permit inspection allowed HPD to continue the undercover operation for weeks without possible customers suspecting the studio was actually a police sting.

The operation was conducted in an effort to help curb sex-trafficking, which often involves underage girls and women who are forced into prostitution, said Capt. Dan Harris head of the HPD Vice Division. By targeting customers,so-called Johns, police hope to reduce the demand for the illegal sex-trade and protect women from exploitation.

"Prostitution is not a victimless crime," Harris said. "It fuels the sex-trafficking trade."

Added Richards: "If there is no buyer there will be no business."

Anyone with information about possible prostitution operations is urged to contact the HPD Vice Division at 713-308-8600.