Man arrested for investigation of sex trafficking in Bellingham

Bellingham police arrested a 22-year-old Tacoma man for investigation of promoting prostitution.

Police detectives went to a hotel in the 4200 block of Guide Meridian on Friday to follow up on a prostitution investigation.  Based on their investigation, detectives had probable cause to arrest a 17-year-old Tacoma woman for investigation of prostitution, officers said.

Detectives said they believe the girl is working in the sex slave industry.

Following that arrest, a 22-year-old man was arrested in the lobby of the hotel for investigation of promoting prostitution.

Detectives said when they arrested the man, they believed he was in the process of grooming another young woman for prostitution.

He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail.

Detectives said that although the teenage girl was arrested, she needed to be rescued from the activity she was involved in. She was released to Child Protective Services.