Man arrested during human trafficking sting operation in Merced, police say

A man was arrested in Merced this weekend as part of a human trafficking sting, according to authorities.

Eric Washington Jr., 26, of Visalia, was arrested at 7:44 p.m. Saturday during the three-day operation by the Merced Police Department’s Disruptive Area Response Team, or DART.

Police said the sting operation was conducted to search for children being trafficked for sex. Washington was arrested after police said he transported a 17-year-old girl to Merced for sex with an undercover officer posing as a customer.

The girl was safely secured by police and Washington was arrested in a parking lot where he was waiting for her, according to a news release.

Washington was booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of human trafficking charges, child endangerment and gang charges, according to police.

This story was originally published September 20, 2020 at 1:14 PM.