What to Do If You’re Arrested in a Minnesota Prostitution or Sex Sting

Bloomington police recently announced 30 arrests tied to an undercover sex sting operation that began February 4, 2026. Police said investigators communicated online with roughly 330 people over approximately two days, and that most arrestees are expected to face gross misdemeanor charges, with felony filings anticipated for repeat offenders.

Operations like this are not isolated. Bloomington and other Twin Cities-area agencies have conducted similar undercover stings in the past, including an operation announced in November 2025 that resulted in 16 arrests.

At Tamburino Law Group, we’ve seen and handled many cases involving people charged with prostitution, solicitation of a minor, and other sex crimes arising from stings. These cases are built fast, charged aggressively, and can put serious penalties, prison time, and collateral damage on the table—sometimes before the facts are fully vetted.

If you were arrested in a prostitution sting in Minnesota or believe you may be under investigation, treat it as an emergency legal situation.

Common Charges After Undercover Sex Stings in Minnesota

Undercover sex crime operations in Bloomington and across the Twin Cities typically lead to charges based on whether the decoy is presented as an adult or a minor, and what the communications show about intent.

Adult-Decoy Allegations: Patronizing Prostitution

When the allegation involves attempting to purchase sex from an adult (or agreeing to do so), prosecutors often charge the case under:

Minn. Stat. § 609.324 — Patrons of Prostitution. This statute covers hiring, offering to hire, or agreeing to hire another for sexual penetration or sexual contact in exchange for a fee. Adult-patron allegations are often charged as a gross misdemeanor, and the statute includes a minimum $1,500 fine upon conviction (subject to limited exceptions).

Minor-Decoy Allegations: Felony Exposure

If law enforcement claims the decoy was a minor, or that the accused reasonably believed the person was under 18, potential exposure can increase sharply. Charges may include:

Minn. Stat. § 609.352 — Solicitation of Children to Engage in Sexual Conduct. This is Minnesota’s primary “solicitation” statute. It can apply when the allegation centers on words or communications used to solicit a child (or someone the accused reasonably believes is a child) to engage in sexual conduct. It is frequently implicated in online / electronic sting cases.
Minn. Stat. § 609.324 — Prostitution Offenses Involving Minors. Minnesota’s prostitution statute also includes felony provisions when the alleged conduct involves a minor (or a person believed to be a minor), with penalties that can vary significantly based on age and alleged conduct.

What To Do After an Arrest in a Minnesota Sex Sting

In sting cases, early decisions can either preserve defenses or make the prosecution’s case easier to prove. The safest approach is to assume investigators are collecting evidence from the start and to involve counsel immediately.

Stop Talking to Police and Investigators. Do not try to “clear it up,” explain context, or answer questions to seem cooperative. In sting cases, the government is usually building an intent narrative using your words. Invoke your right to remain silent and get counsel involved immediately.
Do Not Consent to Phone Searches. Many of these cases rise and fall on digital evidence (messages, apps, location data, photos). If police don’t already have lawful access, consent can remove critical defenses. Your attorney can evaluate warrants, scope, and suppression issues.
Do Not Contact the Decoy or Anyone You Think Is Connected. Re-contact can create new allegations and bond issues. It can also look like consciousness of guilt. Your defense should be managed through counsel.
Assume Your Communications Are Evidence. Phone calls from jail, texts to friends, DMs, and even “I was set up” messages can become exhibits. Keep communications minimal and careful and route strategy through your lawyer.
Move Fast on Representation. Early representation can directly affect your options. A lawyer can step in before the case hardens, advise you on what not to do, communicate with investigators on your behalf, and start building defenses early, including evaluating digital evidence issues and positioning the case for suppression or a favorable resolution.

How Sting Cases Are Built—and How They’re Defended

Stings are designed to generate a clean story: online contact, agreement on sex-for-money, arrival at a meeting place, and a post-arrest statement. A real defense tests each link in that chain.

Common defense angles include:

Identity: whether the state can actually prove who was communicating and who took action (shared devices, spoofing, account access, assumptions).
Intent and ambiguity: what was said versus what is implied; whether the state is stretching vague language into criminal intent.
Entrapment / improper inducement: when government tactics cross legal lines and create conduct rather than detect it.
Search-and-seizure challenges: whether warrants were valid, overly broad, or executed unlawfully, especially regarding phones and cloud data.
Resolution strategy: where appropriate, reducing charge level, protecting employment/licensure, and minimizing long-term consequences.

Why Tamburino Law Group

Sting arrests create maximum pressure: public embarrassment, employment fallout, and fear-driven plea decisions. You need counsel that can slow the process down, take control of the narrative, and attack the evidence with discipline.

Tamburino Law Group is a premier criminal defense firm with deep experience defending clients in sex crime investigations, including sting-related prosecutions. We’re led by a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist and backed by a team that includes former prosecutors and experienced trial lawyers with decades of experience.

If you were arrested in the Twin Cities or anywhere in Minnesota, we can assess exposure, identify defenses, and protect your rights from the start. Call (612) 444-5020 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation.