News Release City of Kearney
KEARNEY, Neb.-Three people have been arrested in Kearney following an undercover prostitution sting.
On Thursday, August 26, Investigators with the Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol conducted an undercover human trafficking operation to target and identify individuals soliciting prostitution in the Kearney area.
This was a Multi-State Human trafficking operation led by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Missouri Highway Patrol, where agencies form 12 states participated in “Operation United Front”. The effort locally resulted in the arrest of three individuals for solicitation of prostitution. Across the 12-state area, the operation led to 102 arrests and the rescue of 47 victims and sex workers including two minor victims.
“This operation once again shows the effective work law enforcement can do when we collaborate toward the same goal. We know human trafficking may cross multiple jurisdictions and states, by working together on operations like this we can fight human trafficking more effectively,” said Chief Bryan D. Waugh
The following individuals were arrested and lodged in the Buffalo County Jail for Solicitation of Prostitution, a misdemeanor: Charles Johnson, 68, of Holdrege, James Hahn, 55, of Hastings, and Shawn Paitz, 49, of Pleasanton, NE. Additionally, Hahn was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance.