Seven Indian nationals have been arrested by the Denton County Sheriff in Texas during a prostitution suppression sting operation, according to a news release by Denton County Sheriff on Tuesday. Office release states that 18 people were arrested on various charges during the operation, according to a Tuesday news release.

The Indian-origin students arrested include Nikhil Bandi, charged with evading arrest detention; Monish Galla and Amit Kumar, both charged with solicitation of prostitution; Nikhil Kummari, also facing charges of evading arrest detention; Jaikiran Reddy Mekala, charged with solicitation of prostitution under 18 and evading arrest detention; Karthik Rayapati, charged with solicitation of prostitution; and Nabin Shrestha, also charged with solicitation of prostitution. 

All of these students are from Denton, Texas, except one from Little Elm. Jaikiran Reddy Mekala faces more serious charges for attempting to solicit minors, a second-degree felony.

On August 14 and 15, the DCSO conducted a “Prostitution Demand Suppression Operation," resulting in the arrest of 18 men who were charged with Solicitation of Prostitution, a state jail felony according to DCSO.

The operation aimed to reduce prostitution in the community by apprehending those attempting to buy sexual services for money.

Additionally, two men were charged with Solicitation of Prostitution under 18, a second-degree felony. Two others faced charges of Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, and three men were charged with Evading Arrest Detention. Highland Village Police Department assisted the Denton County Sheriff with the sting operation. 

In July 2024, police in Princeton, Texas charged four individuals of Telugu origin with human trafficking after rescuing 15 women who were coerced into working for shell companies owned by the accused.