Executive Summary
- Arrests Announced: Nine men were arrested in Hot Springs following a multi-agency operation led by the Arkansas Attorney General’s office.
- Charges Filed: Each suspect faces a charge of sexual solicitation, a Class A misdemeanor.
- Strategic Focus: The operation targeted the “demand side” of human trafficking linked to illicit massage parlors.
- Joint Effort: The sting involved cooperation from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and local police departments.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced the arrest of nine men in Hot Springs following a coordinated multi-agency sting operation targeting the solicitation of commercial sex.
According to a statement released by the Attorney General’s office, the operation was executed earlier this week by the Special Investigations Division. Griffin confirmed that each of the nine individuals has been charged with sexual solicitation, which is a Class A misdemeanor under state law. The arrests reportedly resulted from intelligence gathered during ongoing human trafficking investigations centered on illicit massage parlors.
Investigators stated they identified online platforms where the suspects allegedly arranged meetings to pay for sexual acts. Authorities noted that several women advertising on these platforms were identified as victims of human trafficking. Griffin emphasized the connection between the buyers and the broader criminal networks, stating, “Make no mistake, this is despicable behavior, and it perpetuates human trafficking.”
The Attorney General’s office noted that for the past two years, state investigators have focused on the trafficking aspect of these operations, resulting in seven previous arrests and the provision of support services to 30 victims. This recent operation represents a strategic shift to target the “demand side” of the illicit industry. The men arrested were identified as Vicente Santos, 46; David Hicks, 22; Jacob Benson, 32; Edward Freeman, 22; Antron Pearson, 37; Isaias Martinez-Sanchez, 30; Michael McConnell, 32; Carthon Cooper, 27; and Gustavo Gonzalez, 28.
The enforcement action involved collaboration among multiple agencies, including the 18th Judicial District East Prosecuting Attorney, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Arkansas State Police, and local departments from Garland County, Hot Springs, and Little Rock.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Law Enforcement Strategy
This operation marks a distinct tactical pivot in Arkansas’s efforts to combat human trafficking by targeting the economic drivers of the trade rather than solely the suppliers. By focusing enforcement on the “demand side”—the individuals purchasing sexual services—law enforcement agencies aim to disrupt the profitability of illicit massage parlors and reduce the victimization of trafficked individuals. This approach mirrors federal strategies employed by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, which seek to dismantle trafficking networks through financial attrition and high-visibility deterrence operations.
