A multi-agency undercover sex trafficking operation in Ontario leads to a total of fifteen arrests.
Officers from the High Desert Drug Taskforce in conjunction with the Malheur County Sheriff s Office, Ontario Police Department, Nyssa Police Department, and Payette Police Department conducted an undercover sex trafficking operation during the week of December 11th to17th.
Investigators posted online ads on known sex trafficking websites. Suspects contacted undercover police officers and arranged payment for sexual acts and were arrested at the hotel in Ontario.
Eleven men were arrested for commercial sexual solicitation, and three women were arrested for prostitution and one man was arrested for felony Compelling Prostitution.
All were transported to and booked into the Malheur County Jail.
Sheriff Brian Wolfe said "Sex trafficking has become a serious problem within almost all of our neighborhoods. Sex trafficking has negative effects on the livability of our communities. We believe it is important to investigate these types of crimes in our communities."
Arrested Persons:
1. Eric Lantz, 35-year-old male residing in Ontario, Oregon, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
2. Suman Nag, 26-year-old male residing in Boise, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
3. Hubert Anika, 44-year-old male residing in Meridian, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
4. Rodney Huggins, 52-year-old male residing in Weiser, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
5. Michael Woodland, 62-year-old male residing in Homedale, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
6. Misty Dawn Redding, 36-year-old female residing in Ontario, Oregon, charged with misdemeanor prostitution.
7. Ravonne Williams, 22-year-old female residing in Reno, Nevada, charged with misdemeanor prostitution.
8. Evelyn Young, 25-year-old female residing in Sparks, Nevada, charged with misdemeanor prostitution.
9. James Carlile, 18-year-old male residing in Ontario, Oregon, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
10. Victor Strica, 31-year-old male residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
11. Jason Dahnke, 29-year-old male residing in Ontario, Oregon, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
12. Benjamin Lagrone, 42-year-old male residing in Caldwell, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation and felony unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
13. Ryan Novotny, 41-year-old male residing in Fruitland, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
14. Carlos Martinez, 20-year-old male residing in Nampa, Idaho, charged with misdemeanor commercial sexual solicitation.
15. Antonio Walker, 34-year-old male residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, charged with felony compelling prostitution.
