Portland Police confirm Merv George Jr was "either arrested or cited for commercial sexual solicitation or unlawful prostitution procurement activities."

I contacted Portland Police PIO Mike Benner to ask whether Merv George Jr.'s was arrested or cited on February 3 and the alleged charge. 

Mr. Benner's response was to send the press release they sent out and I included in yesterday's post. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/02/merv-george-jrs-name-on-list-of-30.html?m=1

I have highlighted the relevant portions.  Portland Police confirm Merv George Jr was "either arrested or cited for commercial sexual solicitation or unlawful prostitution procurement activities." 

Crickets from the local media, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn and former Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg who come up on Facebook search in connection to George, Jr.

Other local media reported on former Fortuna Councilmember Kris Mobley but not Merv George, Jr. I added the Mobley indictment update to the January 29 post. 

Portland Police Press Release:

During the month of January, which is Human Trafficking Awareness month, Portland Police Bureau's Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) conducted ongoing directed patrol efforts along Northeast 82nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard in response to ongoing community complaints and observed nuisance/livability activity. These were collaborative efforts with the assistance of East, North, and Central Precincts, Detectives Division, Special Resources Division, Victim Services Unit, Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, and Safety Compass.  

The following individuals were arrested or cited for ORS 167.008 Commercial Sexual Solicitation (CSS) and/or Portland City Code 14A.40.50 Unlawful Prostitution Procurement Activities (UPPA): 

Sabino Aguirre Beltran, 63, Portland, OR

Todd Alexander, 46, Milton Freewater, OR

Alexis Altamirano Palacios, 20, Beaverton, WA

Baumer Barragan Ubaldo, 21, Portland, OR

Dagoberto Barrera-Gonzalez, 68, Happy Valley, OR

Tianxiang Chen, 19, Beaverton, OR

Porfirio Correa Arias, 32, Gresham, OR

Cyprian Setik, 36, Vancouver, WA

Rostom Dakiuridze, 59, Clackamas, OR

Givi Dakiuridze, 57, Damascus, OR

Daniel Dominguez De Paz, 22, Vancouver, WA

Justin Fast, 34, Gresham, OR

Jorge Flores-Arias, 45, Portland, OR

Wassie Gebremeskel, 29, Clackamas, OR

Mervin George Jr, 52, Shady Cove, OR

Clayton Kunz, 23, Vancouver, WA

Marvin Martinez Lopez, 34, Portland, OR

Lisandro Martinez Maldonado, 38, Portland, OR

Yasiel Mazorra Benitez, 35, Vancouver, WA

Jose Navarro-Zuniga, 26, Unknown

David Osorio Alvarado, 32, Port St Lucie, FL

Christian Parra, 27, Cornelius, OR

Pascual Pedro Manuel, 20, Portland, OR

Reynaldo Poot Cab, 25, Portland, OR

Ivan Puerta Blanco, 24, Portland, OR

Jose Rodriguez-Ayala, 50, Oregon City, OR

Alamzeb Safi, 34, Vancouver, WA

Karjit Singh, 70, Portland, OR

Rogelio Solano Romero, 46, Beaverton, OR

Teshome Worku, 42, Portland, OR

The following individuals were contacted and arrested for other crimes:

Robert Brill Jr, 19, Riddle, OR (Warrant)

Robert Woods, 61, Gresham, OR (Failure to Report as Sex Offender)

A total of six cars were towed and information was gathered related to other providers, suspected buyers, and ongoing trafficking investigations. 

HTU continues to utilize the partnership of PPB's Victim Services Unit and Safety Compass for street level outreach for identified providers. Safety Compass is a non-profit organization that offers advocacy services to individuals under the age of 25 who identify as survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Approximately 25 providers were contacted and offered assistance or connection to resources.

HTU cases are complex with several identified barriers such as repeated traumatic exposures, trauma bonds with traffickers, and fear of retaliation. The survivors in these cases are often reluctant to come forward, make a report, and/or continue through the criminal justice process. HTU continues to offer trauma-informed, victim-centered services, in conjunction with PPB Victim Services Unit advocates and community-based partnerships like Safety Compass.