Prostitution Sting Nabs 4 Men In Tigard, Police Say

TIGARD, OR — Four men from around the metro area were busted in a prostitution sting in Tigard last week, according to Tigard police officials. The sting was held in coordination with Lake Oswego police, and the Washington County Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices.

The following individuals were arrested are charged with commercial sexual solicitation:

Richard Lee Imel, 45, of Milwaukie;

Roman Lara-Jacome, 43, of Tigard;

Cordell Demetrius Lee, 27, of Beaverton; and

Benjamin Wagner, 32, of Portland.

The four men were just 70 of the contacts received by investigators who used various sex advertisements to entice prostitution customers to meet at an unidentified Tigard hotel.

The sting took place throughout the day March 22.

Business owners frequently contact police to express frustration about possible prostitution activity at their establishments, Tigard police spokesman Jim Wolf said in a statement.

"In response to their needs, Tigard Police began to place focus on the crimes of prostitution that now operates significantly through use of technology, along with many other criminal ventures," Wolf explained. "The criminal acts of prostitution are mostly arranged beforehand using telephone, websites and social media. In the past, Tigard investigators have conducted probes into such advertising, which resulted in numerous arrests."

A similar sting conducted last winter resulted in 40 contacts, Wolf said. Detectives could have arrested each of those individuals, he continued, but they instead chose to give the prospective customers a verbal warning, along with a promise they would be arrested if ever again caught in a prostitution situation.

"[P]rostitution is not a victimless crime," Wolf said. "The numbers are staggering regarding victims compelled into prostitution; now more likely to be connected to human trafficking. Maintaining a zero tolerance policy in Tigard is one way to help draw attention to this criminal venture and possibly prevent the vulnerable from entering into this enterprise."

Additional operations will be conducted this year, Wolf said.

Images via Washington County Sheriff's Office