Alleged Pimp Arrested With 13 Girls During Sting In River Oaks

HOUSTON, TX — A 43-year-old man who investigators said was engaged in human and sex trafficking to high-end clients was arrested during an undercover prostitution sting near the Galleria. Mark Cole is being held in the Harris County Jail without bond.

He faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison, and is charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and delivery of controlled substance.

Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen announced Cole's arrested during a press conference on Tuesday. Rosen said Cole thought he was going to a bachelor party when he brought 13 young women to a River Oaks Hotel.

"He's a career criminal. He's somebody that's into just about every kind of criminal activity you can think of," Rosen said. "What we need is more victims to come forward..."

Rosen said the investigation began as a result of chance encounter between Cole and an undercover officer when Cole bragged that he was making $30,000 a week "running girls."

Based on Cole's comments, the Harris County Precinct 1 Constables Office and several other agencies launched a six-week investigation into Cole's activities, Rosen said.

"We feel very certain that there are more victims of Mark Cole out there, and we are imploring them to contact our office so that we can find out about their cases," he said. "Many of these women were trafficked in a way that they feared Mark and they were too scared to come forward."

Rosen said his office received a call from one of Cole's victims on Monday, who'd been too scared to come forward until she knew he was behind bars.

Rosen said now that Cole's name and face are out there and everyone knows that Cole is no longer a threat, he is hoping more victims will come forward, so law enforcement can continue to build a solid case.

"If Cole has attempted to traffick you, force you into prostitution, or force you into committing criminal acts, we want to hear from you," Rosen said.

Rosen asked that anyone who was a victim of Cole's who has any with any information to call his office at 713-755-7628. The Human Trafficking Hotline can be reached at 832-927-1650.

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Image: HCSO

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