LASD conducts undercover sting operation in South LA

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department cracked down on prostitution with a major sting operation in south Los Angeles Thursday.

Would-be "Johns" solicited sex from undercover agents and were arrested on the spot.

Lt. David Olivia with LASD said the sting operation was focused on a busy intersection in Athens.

"We're doing what we call 'car dates,' where the act will happen in their car," he said. "If they solicit sex for money we're going to make the arrest."

One man accused of soliciting a prostitute was taken into a nearby hotel room for processing. He told deputies he was not trying to pay for sex.

The alleged John also happened to be carrying a small amount of marijuana and more than $7,000 in cash. He said he was going to buy a car in the neighborhood. He was then cited and released.

Investigators said they often target pimps and prostitutes, but on Thursday they were going after Johns.

"It's just like any other business where you try to cut out one of the supply lines, if you cut out the customer prostitution will go away," Olivia said.

The sting continued until midnight. The alleged-johns who were arrested were cited with solicitation of a prostitute, which is a misdemeanor.