Randal “Randy” Hendricks, 71, is charged with misdemeanor prostitution and is out of jail on bond. According to court records, the entertainment lawyer and agent answered a Craigslist ad and then went to the Greenspoint Hilton, prepared to pay $80 for sex. Instead, he found an undercover female deputy.
The operation was part of what’s called the National Johns Suppression Initiative — an annual initiative now in its 13th year. In Harris County, it ran from Jan. 4 through Super Bowl Sunday and netted the most arrests of any agency.
“I’m exceedingly proud to lead the nation in targeting sex buyers and traffickers during this annual initiative,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a statement. “Houston was home to Super Bowl LI. As we welcomed the world to our City, we made it clear that there is no place for victimization and sexual exploitation.”
On Wednesday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office released mug shots for all 178 people arrested. Most were expressionless, but some smiled.
Hendricks, who co-founded Hendricks Sports Management, was also a member of the Houston/Harris County Sports Facility Public Advisory Committee. He did not respond to requests for comment and neither did his attorney.
“Many times these folks are successful public figures in the community, and so it can be embarrassing for them,” Gonzalez said.
Nationwide, the operation included nearly 30 law enforcement agencies who arrested more than 750 suspects across 15 states.
In Cook County, Illinois, 101 alleged sex buyers were arrested by deputies and officers with the Lansing and Matteson police departments. In Lake County, two people were arrested. In Arlington Heights, five people were arrested.
Arlington Heights police said five “Johns” were arrested as part of a sting they ran at a motel near Arlington Heights Road and Algonquin Road. Saharat R. Blaine, 38, of Streamwood; Wilmer Rodriguez, 43, of Mount Prospect; Alan Karamovic, 43, of Skokie; Juan Barbosa-Gomez, 24, of Lake Bluff; and Yassir Guezzar, 39, of Hinsdale; were each charged with solicitation of a sexual act.
PHOTOS: Arrests in the Arlington Heights
On Tuesday, the Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office and the Houston Police Department announced separate arrests during a 10-day prostitution sting.
Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office arrested 32 people in their undercover operation.
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During Houston Police Department’s Vice Division sting, 217 were detained.
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