Nine people are facing charges or citations following a sex trafficking enforcement operation in Berrien County. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office says investigators contacted more than 50 people during what it calls a Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Operation. Those arrested or cited range in age from 21 to 70 and are from communities including Benton Harbor, Granger, Kalamazoo, Flint and Plainwell. One person is from Guatemala. All nine face allegations of soliciting a prostitute. Some also face additional allegations involving cocaine, weapons, resisting, and obstructing.

Those facing charges are identified as:

Michael Baughman, 51, of Granger – Solicitation of a Prostitute, Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Roberto Gonzales Jr.,26, of Granger – Solicitation of a Prostitute

Steven Saylor, 43, of Benton Harbor – Solicitation of a Prostitute, Parole Violation

Travis Compton, 46, of Benton Harbor – Solicitation of a Prostitute, Possession of Cocaine

Julio Vail-Vasquez, 32, of Guatemala – Solicitation of a Prostitute, Resisting and Obstructing

Frederick Trumble, 70, of Plainwell – Solicitation of a Prostitute

Joel Rydecki, 39, of Flint – Solicitation of a Prostitute

Fred Hakulinke, 29, of Kalamazoo – Solicitation of a Prostitute

Joshua Fulton, 21, of Benton Harbor – Solicitation of a Prostitute