Two Nigerians, Sunday Okerie and Januarous Ezeikwe, have been arrested for solicitation of prostitution, an offence which violates Texas prostitution and solicitation law.
The police announced on Friday that Messrs Okerie and Ezeikwe were arrested alongside one other non-Nigerian on September 28 over involvement in a prostitution felony.
“On September 28, HPD Vice Division conducted a proactive prostitution operation in Southwest Houston, resulting in the arrest of three individuals for felony prostitution (buyer),” the police said, posting their mugshots.
Messrs Okerie and Ezeikwe now risk between two and 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000, depending on the category of their offences.
Section 43.021 of Texas law states that “A person commits an offence if the person knowingly offers or agrees to pay a fee to another person for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with that person or another.”
The law also stipulates penalties, including 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine for a first offence, or two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine for a second offence.