Police Misconduct & Legal Problems with ‘Bachelor Party Stings’

Were you arrested related to charges stemming from a bachelor party sting operation in Harris County? Bachelor party stings have evolved from critical functions to catch sex traffickers to the subject of newspaper headlines and official complaints. These raucous events are now the subject of a federal investigation.

It is possible to have your charges dismissed or reduced. If you were wrongly arrested in a bachelor party sting, our Houston sex crime lawyers could help you avoid a devastating conviction. Contact The Law Offices of Ned Barnett for a free consultation.

What is a Bachelor Party Sting?

Bachelor party stings are undercover operations conducted by Harris County’s Constable Office’s Human Trafficking Unit. Male undercover officers would pose as bachelor party guests with the hope of arresting sex traffic handlers. The officers tried to get trafficked sex workers to solicit sex acts. Once the solicitation occurred, police would arrest the trafficker and get help for the victim.

Alleged Sexual Harassment & Drunkenness

Allegedly, the process and focus of these sting operations took a turn under new leadership. Sting operations no longer focused on human trafficking victims. Instead, bachelor party stings became an excuse for sexual harassment, drinking on the job, and inappropriate use of taxpayer money.

Superior officers allegedly selected specific female deputies to participate in these sting operations. They instructed them to wear revealing clothing and even purchased adult sex toys using county funds. These undercover female officers suffered harassment and abuse in bachelor party stings. A known sex offender assaulted one officer. A superior officer ordered another officer to perform a lap dance.

The stings also exploited male officers. Male police officers were under orders to wear only boxer shorts and consume enough alcohol to become intoxicated. The drunk officers would then touch or make sexual advances to their undercover female colleagues.

Several Complaints Ended the Stings

The bachelor party stings finally stopped after complaints by deputies and a whistleblower. If you were arrested in this type of bachelor party sting, you might have grounds to seek a dismissal.

Defenses for Bachelor Party Sting Related Charges

Given the information that has come to light surrounding bachelor party sting operations, you stand a good chance of beating the charges against you. The conduct of high-level Harris County law enforcement is questionable.

Entrapment

There is also the potential to claim entrapment. Entrapment is the act of police officers who use coercion and other inappropriate tactics to encourage someone to commit a crime.

Even without raising entrapment, the very fact that officers were drunk at the time of these sting operations is highly unethical. There are also charges of alleged sexual harassment of women officers. These offenses question the integrity and validity of the charges against you.

A Houston sex crimes lawyer can challenge the legality of the charges against you.

Charges and Penalties You Could Face

There are many charges you could face after a bachelor party sting operation, which include:

• Prostitution
• Solicitation
• Patronizing
• Pimping
• Promoting prostitution

The penalties for these offenses vary widely.

For example:

• Prostitution is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $2,000
• Aggravated promotion of prostitution is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000

Contact a Houston Sex Crimes Lawyer Today

Were you arrested and charged with crimes related to bachelor party sting operations? Law Offices of Ned Barnett defend your freedoms.

Get a free consultation today when you call our office at 713-222-6767. You can also contact our Houston sex crimes lawyers using our quick contact form.