BUTLER COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) —  A multi-agency sting operation in Butler County netted arrests of six men who agreed to purchase sexual relations from a minor, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. It happened March 21 and 22, when the Butler County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Securi ty Investigations, Andover Police Department, and El Dorado Police Department carried out a joint operation to combat human trafficking and commercial sex crimes. According to the report, undercover officers posed as minors on commercial sex websites to identify predators attempting to engage in illicit activities. Authorities say that over the course of the operation, several men were arrested for trying to purchase sexual services from minors. In one instance, a suspected sex trafficker was identified during the operation and arrested on charges of promoting the sale of sexual services. Wichita man sentenced in 2020 fatal shooting Three of the men have made their first appearance in Butler County District Court: Andrew Jordan Bikar, 22, is charged with aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and promoting obscenity. Shane Anthony Pitman, 39, is charged with aggravated human trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, and promoting obscenity. Jose Anthony Capos-Urrtia, 36, is charged with aggravated human trafficking, electronic solicitation, commercial sexual exploitation of a child, and indecent solicitation of a child. Formal charges are pending against three other defendants. It is KSN policy not to identify suspects until they are formally charged. The Butler County Sheriff's Office says the operation had two components: one targeting those seeking sexual relations with minors and another providing support to individuals in commercial sex work. Officers worked with ICTSOS to support individuals engaged in sex work, offering them a path out of exploitation. Ten people were connected with advocacy services, the report said. According to the sheriff’s office, the operation aimed to deter those seeking to exploit trafficking victims, vulnerable children, or engage in commercial sex in Butler County, while also providing “hope and a path to freedom for those being exploited.” ...read more read less