Police Arrest 47 in Undercover Phoenix Massage Parlor Prostitution Sting

Police have arrested 47 people after allegedly soliciting sex from undercover police officers posing as massage workers in Phoenix.

In a recent undercover sting operation, officers in the Cactus Park Precinct set up a fake storefront. Undercover detectives posted advertisements online regarding an illicit massage parlor. 47 people “solicited and/or brokered deals for various sex acts,” according to Phoenix police.

When the men showed up at the store, they would try to make deals for various sex acts with undercover officers.  The suspects ranged in age from 22 to 75 years old. 43 men were arrested and booked into jail on a charge of soliciting prostitution, four others were cited and released.

The purpose of the operation was to “reduce the demand for crimes that fuel sex trafficking,” Phoenix PD said.

The operation was carried out in partnership with the Phoenix Police Department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit (HEAT), Cactus Park Precinct Community Action Officer squad, Neighborhood Enforcement Team, and Homeland Security Investigations.