BPD arrests 1 for human trafficking in prostitution bust

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Birmingham police have arrested a man for human trafficking while targeting alleged prostitution on the website Backpage.com.

Fred Lacy was booked on a $500,000 bond. Police say he is being transferred to the Shelby County Jail.

The operation was conducted with the help of the FBI and targeted alleged prostitutes, their clients and pimps.

Birmingham police say authorities made several misdemeanor arrests for prostitution.

"I think this is the new 21st century way of soliciting yourself, advertising yourself via the internet," Birmingham Police Lt. Sean Edwards said.

And Edwards said it's not going to be tolerated in the Magic City.

"Our vice unit routinely addresses this, all levels including the clients, escorts and even the panderers. That's something we're trying to concentrate on," he said.

These arrests happened the same weekend a 17-year-old Alabama girl was saved from human trafficking in a joint law enforcement operation.

"Anytime you're trying to profit, solicit and make a profit from that it's a serious crime," Edwards said.

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