Man Arrested In Woodlands Prostitution Sting Found Guilty

CONROE, TX — A Montgomery County man who was arrested last year in a prostitution and human trafficking sting was found guilty on Tuesday. Gabriel Guel, 33, was convicted of prostitution and sentenced to one-year probation and a $1,000 fine by County Court at Law Judge Dennis Watson.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Guel responded to an online advertisement and made arrangements with an undercover officer to pay for intercourse and oral sex.

Jurors in the case reviewed audio and video evidence against Guel, and took only 20 minutes to come back with a guilty verdict, officials said.

"The primary goal of law enforcement operations like Operation Cross County it to proactively address prostitution and human trafficking activity in Montgomery County and surrounding areas," said Tyler Dunman, special crimes bureau chief for the DA's office.

Guel was one of 75 men and women who were arrested in October 2018 as part of Operation Cross County.

The two-week operation was coordinated through a multi-jurisdictional task force aimed at targeting areas near The Woodlands where numerous complaints of prostitution and and other activities related to sex trafficking were received by law enforcement officials.

READ ALSO: 75 Arrested In 2 Week Operation Targeting Sex Trafficking

The operation led to the arrest of 32 johns, or those who looked to pay for sex. Those men were charged with a Class B Misdemeanor, with some facing additional charges. Police also arrested 11 pimps, nine men and two woman, and charged with with compelling prostitution which is also a Class B Misdemeanor.

Twenty-eight women were charged with prostitution with four of those facing additional narcotics or weapons charges, and five sex trafficking victims, including a 16-year-old girl were identified and returned to their families.

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com