WEBER COUNTY, Utah — While conducting an undercover human trafficking operation, the Weber County Sheriff's Officer arrested 18 people in the days leading up to Christmas on charges of prostitution, soliciting a prostitute and possession of controlled substances.
The sheriff's office conducted the undercover operation to "identify and help victims of human trafficking, identify and arrest individuals who are involved in, patronize, or promote the underground sex trade."
Undercover detectives used tactics and websites common with sex trafficking to make the arrests.
The 18 individuals met with the detectives at a local motel where they thought they were exchanging money for sexual acts.
From there, they were arrested and are now facing various charges including patronizing a prostitute, solicitation of a prostitute, prostitution, and possession of a controlled substance.
