Forty-six men were arrested in connection with a massive undercover sex-trafficking sting operation in two affluent North Texas suburbs.
A youth pastor, a high school football coach, a professional hockey player, and a director of operations for a large hospital network were among the men arrested at upscale hotels in Frisco and Southlake on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13.
On Tuesday, the Frisco Police Department released the names of the 23 men who were arrested in their city.
“By targeting those involved in this crime, we hope to disrupt this activity and provide assistance to human trafficking victims by getting them connected to the advocates and resources they need,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes, Jr.
Undercover Operation
In the operation, law enforcement officers responded to online solicitations for prostitution, according to Frisco PD.They arranged meetups at an upscale hotel in Frisco and another in Southlake. Hotel management and staff were aware of the operation and cooperated with officials. The suspects were arrested upon arrival at the locations without incident, authorities said.
Strickland’s information has been removed from the group’s website. The Epoch Times has reached out for comment.
A former teacher and assistant football coach at Flower Mound Marcus High School was also among the men taken into custody.
“Mr. Morrison was placed on administrative leave when the district became aware of his arrest and subsequently submitted his resignation to the district last week,” Lewisville ISD Communications Director Amanda Brim said in a statement, as reported by multiple news outlets. “This is a legal matter outside his role in our district, and we have no indication the circumstances surrounding his arrest involved students.”
Principal Will Skelton sent a message to the families of students at the high school.
“I understand this is difficult news for our students and our school community,” Skelton’s message read. “Our focus will continue to be supporting our students through any impact they may experience due to Coach Morrison’s unexpected departure. I have communicated directly with the football program and families in Coach Morrison’s class to ensure they know we are here to support them.”
Lewisville ISD did not respond to The Epoch Times’ requests for comment.
Jim Hemmingway, 49, of The Colony, Texas, was among the suspects arrested in Frisco. Hemmingway is the former director of operations at Baylor Scott & White Health in North Texas. His information has been removed from the website.
A spokesperson for Baylor Scott & White Health confirmed on Wednesday that Hemmingway is “no longer an employee.”
Allen Americans hockey player Spencer Asuchak, 31, was also arrested in Frisco. He lives in McKinney, Texas.
“We are aware of the situation, and we are waiting for more information,” a spokeswoman for the Allen Americans told The Epoch Times, adding that was all the information she could provide.
“The victims of these heinous crimes are treated like commodities, used to make as much money as possible, as quickly as possible,” Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Wayburn said in a joint release. “Those who traffic victims are the scourge of the earth, and we will continue to target those responsible for the trafficking and those who solicit sex from them.”
The law enforcement agencies that participated in the operation include the Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force, Frisco Police Department, Flower Mound Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County District Attorney Investigators, Dallas Police Department, Irving Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, Arlington Police Department, and the Colleyville Police Department.
