Ten arrested in prostitution sting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Ten Indiana men were busted for soliciting sex from prostitutes. It turns out that those pretty women in the 3600 block of East Washington were undercover officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

It was all part of a national program called Day of Johns Arrests.

“I had two girls working for three hours and they made ten arrests,” Lieutenant Richard Kivett said, He added that ten was a significant amount considering the short period of time.

Among those arrested, Steven Runyon, the COO of Volunteers of America of Indiana and Kendall Christiansen a Cub Scout leader in Fishers.

Lieutenant Richard Kivett is passionate about fighting prostitution. The 34-year police veteran says it’s a growing problem on the east side. He also has a strong message for those soliciting.

“(Officers) are out here working. You never know who you are going to get,” Kivett said. “You could be talking to a real prostitute or an undercover officer. You just don't know.”

Timothy Campbell, President and CEO of Volunteers of America of Indiana, Inc. released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
“The employee in question reported this matter immediately upon arrival at work the next morning following the alleged incident. He has been placed on administrative suspension as we further investigate this matter. We will continue to monitor the progress of his criminal case, as well as continue our own internal investigation of the situation.”