LUBBOCK, Texas — Two sex trafficking victims were recovered and eight people were arrested in a joint law enforcement operation on Friday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
DPS said the Lubbock Police Department, the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office and the Levelland Police Department worked a “Demand Reduction operation.” According to DPS, law enforcement saw posts online advertising for “commercial sex” in the area.
All eight were arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution, according to DPS. One subject was arrested for Prostitution.
See the full press release below for more details.
The following is a press release from the Texas Department of Public Safety:
On Friday, July 22, 2022, The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, working with the Lubbock Police Department Special Operations, the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Levelland Police Department, worked a Demand Reduction operation. Law enforcement officers working in the Northwest Texas region had observed a number of web-based commercial sex advertisements, which indicated a demand for commercial sex in the area. Law Enforcement knows human traffickers can exploit this demand. Thus, a proactive approach is beneficial for the community in suppressing sex trafficking and recovering victims of sexual exploitation.
Eight subjects were arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution, a State Jail Felony. One subject was arrested for Prostitution, a Class B Misdemeanor, and two victims of sex trafficking were recovered.
The subjects arrested for Solicitation of Prostitution are as follows:
Clinton Buck Redding, 37, of Lubbock TX
Steve Rodriguez, 43, of Lubbock TX
Alfredo Solis, 39, of Sundown TX
Artraile Hill, 35, of Amarillo TX
Christoper Tarango, 40, of Odessa TX
Ethan King, 29, of Decatur TX
Gary Little Soldier, 33, of Levelland TX
Alan Esparza, 35, of Lubbock TX
End of release.
