Pursuant to Michigan law, it is illegal to offer another person money for a sexual act. In the City of Detroit, the offense of offer to engage OTE another person for an act of prostitution carries a mandatory penalty of 45 days in jail pursuant to City of Detroit Ordinances. In the City of Detroit, police, not acutal prostitutes, are out on the streets and create an environment where unsuspecting men are caught up in a situation that will support a criminal charge of OTE.
This is accomplished by the use of police decoys that can legally hang out in plain view where motorists are able to slow down and chat with the undercover officer. The Detroit Police Department has an ongoing sting operation whereby undercover female police officers impersonate street walkers on main streets or where there is a likelihood that motor vehicles will drive by and stop to chat about sex.
The female police officers, or decoys, are wired for audio which allows police to listen to the conversation between the decoy and the participant. The unsuspecting participant is typically operating a motor vehicle in the area and feels that it is safe to stop and talk to the female decoy.
The police are situated out of view and close by and stand ready to take action as soon as they hear the participant offer of money for sex. Here are a couple examples of conversations that take place which result in police action and subsequent criminal charges:. The use of police resources and decoys to further the prostitution sting operation in the City of Detroit is fraught with criticism; especially by criminal defense attorneys.
Despite criticism, the clandestine operation has been in existence for several years. In addition, the City of Detroit nets substantial income as a result of the associated vehicles forfeited and subsequent settlements with the parties charged with OTE. Our typical OTE offender is usually from the suburbs, has never been in trouble or does not have any serious criminal record, and has never been convicted of OTE or solicitation of a prostitute.
