STOCKTON, CA - The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department arrested 10 men this week during a prostitution sting at a motel just east of Stockton.
Sgt. Phil George said because the California Inn has allowed prostitutes to use that motel for business recently, the motel continues to attract potential customers. So he and several deputies staged a sting that used female deputies as decoys. When men negotiated prices for sex acts with those women, deputies watching and listening nearby moved quickly and made arrests.
Nearby business owner Ernie Giannecchini said he welcomes the crackdown because the activity has become too obvious.
"I have customers come in and make comments about the ladies hanging around. It reminds them of Amsterdam. It's nice to see the sheriff cleaning it up and making it a safer neighborhood," said Giannecchini.
George said his office and the district attorney's office are hoping to work with the motel owner to assist in eliminating that business.
The men arrested face misdemeanor charges.
