An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Saturday resulted in the arrest of four women on charges of prostitution, a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $2,000. One of the four women was additionally charged with an arrest warrant from Virginia for Human Trafficking. A second woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance after officers discovered she was found with narcotics during a search incident to arrest. The women were arrested after they solicited undercover CCPD Officers for sex acts in exchange for payment.  The undercover officers posed as online customers for escort services, but the escorts were in reality advertising online prostitution. 

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Operations Division Officers, as well as civilians with the Red Cord Program.  The Red Cord Program is a prostitution diversion program aimed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, Nueces County District Attorney Office, and the Corpus Christi Police Department.  The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided case management, health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution.  Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office. On Saturday, two women were accepted into the Red Cord Program. 

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease.  Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve.  The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.