BEAUMONT, Texas — A man pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution after local law enforcement officials and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led a joint human trafficking operation in May 2023.
Derrick Waldon appeared before Judge John Stevens on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 and pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution which is a state jail felony.
Waldon could have been given two years in prison if he had been found guilty by a jury. Judge Stevens gave him a deferred probation of five years and a $1,000 fine.
Waldon was represented by David Grove.
If he finishes his probation, Waldon will not have a conviction on his record.
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, an operation was conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, along with FBI Beaumont and Beaumont Police.
This was the first ever FBI-led online covert initiative in this area, according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Officials conducted an online solicitation investigation where men were searching online sex sites and phone apps for men and women to engage in sexual relations.
Some of those men and women the men were looking to engage in sexual relations with were underage, according to the release.
The individuals showed up at the agreed upon motel rooms, where they were then arrested.
The most common form of human trafficking detected by national authorities is trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Every year, millions of men, women and children are trafficked worldwide, including in Southeast Texas, according to the release.
“Your local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will continue such joint operations in hopes of saving those individuals that are being victimized” Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens previously said.
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
