Bloomington sting nets 30 men; ICE vetter charged with prostitution
A Bloomington prostitution sting that netted about 30 men led to the arrest and Hennepin County charging of 36‑year‑old Brashad Antwann Johnson of St. Michael, who faces a gross‑misdemeanor prostitution charge for allegedly responding to a police decoy ad, agreeing to pay $100 for a "quick visit," and being arrested at a hotel with $100 in cash and a phone. The Pentagon confirmed Johnson is a contract investigator for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency via Peraton who performs background checks and security‑clearance vetting for DHS/ICE, HSI, the FBI and other federal employees, and officials are reviewing whether further action is warranted; Peraton has not responded about his employment status.
📌 Key Facts
- Brashad Antwann Johnson, 36, of St. Michael, has been formally charged in Hennepin County District Court in connection with the Bloomington prostitution sting.
- He faces a gross misdemeanor prostitution charge (hiring a person for sex), which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
- According to police, Johnson responded to a Bloomington Police decoy ad, agreed to pay $100 for a 'quick visit,' arrived at a hotel and was arrested; officers recovered $100 cash and a phone.
- The Pentagon confirmed Johnson is a contract investigator for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) through Peraton, performing background checks and security‑clearance vetting for DHS/ICE agents, HSI, the FBI and other federal employees.
- The Pentagon is reviewing whether further action should be taken regarding Johnson’s work; Peraton has not responded to FOX 9 about his employment status.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2020, 43% of arrests for prostitution and commercialized vice in the United States were of Black individuals, who comprise about 12% of the population, indicating a per capita overrepresentation of approximately 4.4 times compared to White individuals.
Arrests by offense, age, and race — Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
In New York City from 2014 to 2019, police arrested over three times as many alleged sex buyers in majority Black and Latino areas as in majority White areas.
NYPD Cops Cash In on Sex Trade Arrests With Little Evidence, While Black and Brown New Yorkers Pay the Price — ProPublica
Sex buyers in the United States are disproportionately White men.
Exploitation Isn’t Random: Exploring Human Trafficking and Race — Lifeway Network
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Names the ICE vetter as 36‑year‑old Brashad Antwann Johnson of St. Michael and confirms he has been formally charged in Hennepin County District Court.
- Clarifies he faces a gross misdemeanor prostitution charge (hiring a person for sex), punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
- Details that Johnson responded to a Bloomington Police decoy ad, agreed to pay $100 for a 'quick visit,' arrived at the hotel, and was arrested with $100 cash and a phone.
- Adds Pentagon confirmation that Johnson is a contract investigator for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency via Peraton, performing background checks and security‑clearance vetting for DHS/ICE agents, HSI, FBI and other federal employees.
- Notes that the Pentagon is reviewing whether further action should be taken regarding Johnson’s work; Peraton has not responded to FOX 9 about his employment status.