PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department Crime Reduction Unit on Friday arrested four local men as the result of an undercover prostitution Internet Reversal Operation targeting “johns,” Lt. James Sweatt said in a news release.
Arrested and charged with engaging a prostitute were: Peter Light, 45, of West Buxton; Edward Walsh, 57, and Richard Evans, 51, both of Portland; and John Veit, 53, of West Baldwin, Sweatt said.
Sweatt said that human trafficking is a national epidemic and that the Internet Reversal Operation is designed to target the demand side of prostitution and human trafficking.
The meaning of demand in reference to the operation is the “john,” or client in the sex-for-money scheme, he said.
“It is widely recognized johns are the driving force in human trafficking, supplying the money that drives this illegal industry,” he said. “This operation is designed to target johns who purchase sex or human traffickers who use the Internet to recruit victims.”
To report information about prostitution and other matters, call the Portland Police Department at 874-8575.
Information can be provided anonymously by texting “GOTCHA” plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES), through the police department’s website at portland-police.com and clicking ” Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip” or by calling the department’s crime tip line at 874-8584.