Octogenarian caught in prostitution sting

ABBOTSFORD — Abbotsford Police arrested nine men in a “john sting” to combat street prostitution last week.

The suspects, who ranged in age from 22 to 80, were nabbed soliciting prostitution last Thursday and Friday as part of Project Chaperone, which focused on Abbotsford’s downtown core and the Clearbrook corridor, said Const. Ian MacDonald.

Unlike past stings, none of the nine suspects had been arrested for the offence before, said MacDonald.

As such, the men can avoid criminal charges if they attend and successfully complete a john school program that educates them about the harms associated with prostitution.

After getting caught, the suspects gave officers routine excuses, said MacDonald.

“We got the usual appeals that it was a mistake, and they were concerned about the negative impacts of their family life and kids and so forth,” he said.

“Curiously, that didn’t come into play prior to getting caught, but that reality came crashing in once they were in handcuffs.”

Abbotsford conducts one or two john stings a year but police undertook the most recent operation because front-line officers were getting reports of bad dates, said MacDonald.

The rational behind the stings is to try and combat the exploitation of women, who make up the majority of sex trade workers, he added.

“We don’t see this as a victimless crime,” said MacDonald. “If people see sex trade workers as their daughters, sisters, mothers or aunts, it makes it easier to understand the victimization.”

The last sting saw officers arrest johns who had disturbing articles such as zap straps and weapons, MacDonald said.