VIRGINIA
WHSV
[with video]
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) — Harrisonburg Police Dept. investigators told WHSV that last week’s undercover prostitution operation was part of a larger, ongoing effort. Ten people, ranging in age from 19 to 75, were charged with solicitation –one of the largest numbers in such a sting so far. Among those charged was EMU Vice President for Enrollment Luke Hartman, who has since resigned.
The Harrisonburg Police Dept. (HPD) has been investigating prostitution in the region for a while. Over the course of the last year and a half, 43 charges have been filed related to prostitution, including 26 johns and 12 prostitutes facing charges, as well as five pandering or pimping investigations.
Investigators wouldn’t speak specifically about last week’s operation, but they said the individuals were not enticed. “The investigation is set up so that people have to make a conscious effort to reach out to our undercover –versus us out soliciting them for these acts,” said Lt. Christopher Rush, who works with the Special Operations Unit for HPD.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.