Police Navidad Undercover Sting

Overview

• Article: "They came looking for sex. They found deputies instead in 'Police Navidad' sting."
• Source: News4SanAntonio, by Yami Virgin, Paul Sanchez, Natalie Medina.
• Published: Dec 4, 2025; Updated: Dec 6, 2025.
• Location: Austin Highway corridor, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
• Topic: Undercover prostitution sting focusing on solicitation, trafficking, and related crimes.

Operation Details

• Name: Police Navidad.
• Lead agency: Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
• Setting: Broad daylight undercover operations along Austin Highway.
• Tactics: Undercover female deputies positioned in plain view; nearby command center monitored approaches and offers.
• Timing: Operations concentrated around midday/lunch hour, identified as peak solicitation time.
• Visibility goal: High-profile presence intended to deter future criminal activity.

Arrests And Related Actions

• Types of arrests made during operations:
  • Solicitation (alleged "Johns").
  • Suspects in mail theft.
  • Individuals wanted on felony warrants.
• Example incident: A man attempting to board a VIA bus was arrested moments after walking away.
• Past related operations:
  • Operation Unlucky Strike (July): 30 arrests.
  • Operation Street Sweep (recent week): 11 arrests tied to solicitation and related crimes.

Objectives And Rationale

• Primary goals:
  • Disrupt solicitation activity and reduce criminal activity in corridor.
  • Protect women vulnerable to exploitation, addiction, and trafficking.
• Sheriff Javier Salazar's emphasis:
  • Many purchasers are U.S. citizens who may not see harm, but their actions support human trafficking.
  • Success measured by reduced criminal activity and increased neighborhood safety, not just arrest counts.
• Community context:
  • Corridor mixes upscale neighborhoods with areas attracting criminal activity.
  • Concern for public safety, including children walking to school.

Operational Notes And Details

• Safety measures for undercovers: Deputies removed wedding rings; a sergeant stored rings for undercover female deputies.
• Monitoring: Command center documented who approached undercovers and what offers were made.
• Common outcomes: Stings often uncover additional, unrelated crimes (theft, outstanding warrants).

Decisions

• Continued use of visible, daytime undercover operations along Austin Highway to deter solicitation and associated crimes.
• Focus on both arrests and protective interventions for exploited individuals.