Behind the Badge
Police on Thursday arrested two men suspected of running a sophisticated prostitution ring and forcing a 17-year-old runaway to take part in the operation.
Police on April 23 went to the Motel 6 in the 13000 block of Goldenwest Street to investigate reports of an assault against a female.
During that investigation, police uncovered information about a prostitution ring operating in Santa Ana that was being run by a group in Texas, police said.
Police obtained search warrants on several electronic devices suspected to contain information related to the prostitution operation.
The investigation helped police identify several participants in the operation, including a 17-year-old runaway girl from Texas.
Westminster police partnered with the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force to conduct a surveillance operation on Thursday, April 30, at an Anaheim motel, where police believed the suspects to be.
Henry Ray Perry, 33, of Houston, Texas, and Lynn Anthony Bishop, 45, of Burbank were arrested on suspicion of pimping and pandering and false imprisonment.
Police rescued the 17-year-old girl who, they learned, was being held against her will and forced into prostitution.
Westminster police continue to investigate. Anyone with information regarding this incident, or the suspects involved, please call Det. Andy Stowers at 714-548-3746. Anonymous tips can also be reported to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS; or visit their website at www.occrimestoppers.org.
