Six people were charged in a human trafficking sting in Osceola Tuesday, Nov. 3.
According to a Osceola Police Department press release, the sting was conducted at a local Osceola business.
Osceola Police Chief Marty Duffus said the owner of the business has asked not to disclose its name.
"We set up in that business and did the sting from there," he said.
Those charged in the sting are:
• Eugene Burnell Garrett Jr., 43, of Afton, male — one count of prostitution
• Daveta Diane Williams, 41, of Des Moines, female — one count of driving while barred and one count of possession of paraphernalia
• Mya Aung Kyaw, 46, of Des Moines, male — one count of prostitution
• Matt Micheal Conner, 21, of West Des Moines, male — one count of prostitution
• Belladonna Melissa Guirgis, 35, address unknown, female — one count of prostitution
• Sharree Laray Austin, 27, of Des Moines, female — one count of prostitution
According to Duffus, no children were involved in the sting. Of the six people arrested, there may be one or two additional charges coming, but not any other arrests made.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the sting were Osceola Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Clarke County Sheriff's Office.
Additional key support in the investigation was provided by Adams County Sheriff's Office, Buena Vista County Sheriff's Office, Manchester Police Department and Iowa State Patrol.
Duffus said he wanted to extend a thank you to the other agencies involved and giving manpower to help in the sting.
"We needed personnel that no one around us knows," he said. "We reached out and the agencies stepped up and we appreciate that."
Duffus said this human trafficking sting was conducted because of Osceola's proximity in location to Des Moines, Kansas City and Omaha, as well as how easy travel can be on Interstate 35.
Duffus pointed out those charged in the sting were mostly from the Des Moines area.
"What we learned by this was given all the modes of transportation to our area and the number of transient people; prostitution and human trafficking, it’s something that is from outside our area, and it’s not a huge problem, but it’s certainly is one that’s there," Duffus said. "We want to protect our businesses and our citizens."
Another factor in the sting was the police department had seen a few postings on various social media sites, including Craigslist. Duffus said the light social media traffic is not all of what drew law enforcement to doing the sting, but it certainly added to it.
"Even though it’s light, (hopefully), it won’t come back," he said.
All those charged were held at Clarke County Law Enforcement Center.
"We’re in front of it and we’re watching," Duffus said.