Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on Feb. 13 that nine men were arrested and charged with sexual solicitation following a multi-agency operation led by his office’s Special Investigations Division in Hot Springs.
The arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and related crimes, which the Arkansas Attorney General’s office addresses through public integrity and community relations initiatives across the state, according to the official website. The operation targeted individuals arranging meetings for sex in exchange for money via online platforms, some of which involved victims of human trafficking.
Griffin said, “Earlier this week, agents in my Special Investigations Division led a multi-agency operation in Hot Springs that resulted in the arrest of nine men, all of whom were charged with sexual solicitation, a Class A misdemeanor.” He added that previous investigations had focused on illicit massage businesses but this recent action was aimed at those creating demand for such services. “Make no mistake, this is despicable behavior, and it perpetuates human trafficking, plain and simple. And our work is having an impact,” Griffin said.
The Arkansas Attorney General’s office offers consumer protection services, handles civil and criminal matters, supports public safety initiatives according to the official website, and provides resources for fraud reporting as well as legal opinions and community education programs according to the official website. It serves the entire state with legal and protective services according to the official website.
The nine men arrested have been identified as Vicente Santos (46), David Hicks (22), Jacob Benson (32), Edward Freeman (22), Antron Pearson (37), Isaias Martinez-Sanchez (30), Michael McConnell (32), Carthon Cooper (27), and Gustavo Gonzalez (28). Griffin expressed gratitude toward local law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; FBI; Garland County Sheriff’s Office; Hot Springs Police Department; Little Rock Police Department; Arkansas State Police; and Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence for their assistance during the operation.
Tim Griffin has served as Attorney General since January 2023 according to the official website. The Arkansas Attorney General’s office operates within legal and public safety sectors at a state level according to the official website.
