More than 200 arrests made during Scottsdale’s human trafficking operation
Police said the Dobson High football coach was one of the individuals arrested during the operation.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — More than 200 arrests were made during a human trafficking operation in the Valley that targeted individuals attempting to exploit others.
The Scottsdale Police Department said 202 people were arrested during a “proactive” operation pursuing participants in the sex trade and trafficking. Police said the operation was “decoy-based,” meaning no actual children were directly involved.
Among the arrests, there were 53 felonies and 149 misdemeanors.
Scottsdale police told 12News that one of the arrested individuals was Richard Godsil, the football coach of Dobson High School in Mesa. Godsil was taken into custody last week by Surprise police and is facing a charge of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation.
The charges against the individuals include child sex trafficking, luring a minor for sexual exploitation, attempted sexual conduct with a minor, pandering, prostitution and drug possession.
The operation occurred between Jan. 22 and Feb. 15. It involved other agencies like Goodyear police, Surprise police, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
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