WARREN (WWJ) - A three-day roundup of sex crimes suspects leads to dozens of arrests in Warren.
Warren Police say Operation Crusade targeted those involved in human trafficking, prostitution, drugs and pandering. The operation, which utilized undercover officers at hotels and private residences, resulted in the arrests of 25 women and 21 men.
All together, the suspects are facing a total of 72 misdemeanor and 31 felony charges.
No victims of human trafficking were discovered during the operation.
Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said prostitution is a big problem not only in Warren, but across the nation.
"We're doing the right thing, as far as these operations," Dwyer told WWJ's Jon Hewett. "Human trafficking, prostitution, pandering, illegal drugs -- I mean, the mayor is concerned about people coming in from outside the city using Warren as a hub to have the prostitution or drugs. And it's just not going to be tolerated."
A similar crackdown earlier this year ended with 35 people in jail and facing 75 different charges.
Dwyer said to expect similar operations to continue in the new year. He said the goal is to rescue those who are being trafficked against their will.
"We understand right from day one that every prostitute was a young child that had no addiction problems and wasn't involved in prostitution," said Dwyer. "And because of being led by pimps, pandering or even by getting addicted to drugs, today we've got an epidemic and more young people are getting addicted and they're going out and turning into prostitutes because of their addiction problem. No question about it."
