Henrico Police make arrests in connection with prostitution sting

Several individuals were arrested in the sting, which took place this week at hotels near West Broad Street and Gaskins Road.

July 24, 2014; 12:38 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

Henrico Police netted several arrests as part of a prostitution sting this week in the county’s Far West End.

From NBC12:

Henrico Police are cracking down on prostitution along the West Broad Street corridor.

Police are not releasing mug shots, but they said the arrests were made at hotels along West Broad Street and Gaskins Road.

“All the places we don’t necessarily think that it is,” said Joshua Bailey, CEO of Gray Haven, a local nonprofit that helps victims of human trafficking. “It’s happening there.”

During the afternoon hours Tuesday, Detectives had contact with several males at hotels in the area of W. Broad Street and Gaskins Road, as well as Gaskins Road and Mayland Drive. Five men were arrested for prostitution. All of the arrests were made in broad daylight between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

“The guys that are buying and getting arrested for this, they have families,” said Bailey. “They have kids. They are normal by all accounts.”

We tracked one of the alleged “Johns” to a quiet Glen Allen neighborhood.

“It’s not just something that happens in dark corners,” said Bailey.

Bailey says it’s not enough to just arrested the “Johns.” He wants to educate them on what their money is really doing.

“You’re fueling something,” said Bailey. “They [prostitutes] aren’t just in a negative situation. They are tortured. They are beat with irons…they are beat with extension cords.”

View the video package here.

Photo: NBC12