MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department Investigations unit with the support of the Othello Pollice Department conducted a three-day human trafficking operation.  The three-day operation was designed to impact both the demand and supply side of human trafficking. There were a total of 19 arrests with 13 of them for patronizing a prostitute and the other six for prostitution.  

The first day of the operation was Wednesday, with six people arrested. Five of them were arrested for patronizing a prostitute, which includes Thomas J. Laney, 71; Jaime D. Hernandez, 44; Howard W. Kwong, 54; Joseph C. Sulkey, 33 and Peter M. Hibbard, 36. One woman was arrested for prostitution.  

The second day on Thursday resulted in four arrests, three of which for patronizing a prostitute and one for prostitution. The three arrested for patronizing include Misael Montes Lopez, 25; Roman D. Brown, 37 and Dustin C. Smith, 31. One 31-year-old was arrested for prostitution.

The final day on Friday resulted in nine arrests five of which were for patronizing a prostitute. The five are as follows: Montie E. Welker, 52; Cody J. Heathman, 35; Gregory J. Johnson, 45; Christopher A. Fitch, 42 and Joe B. Eldredge, 65. The other four arrests were for prostitution.