LYNN–Nine were arrested Thursday, June 13, on charges of sexual conduct for a fee and violating a city ordinance for buying or attempting to buy sexual favors.

In a statement to the Item, Lieutenant Richard Connick of the police department confirmed the arrests were executed under an operation in conjunction with the FBI Violent Crimes Against Children / Human Trafficking Task Force made in the downtown area to address “community complaints of sex-trafficking.” 

Connick added another purpose of the operation was to “locate victims of sex-trafficking, and provide service to victims.” 

Those arrested were Roberto Baez, 50, Michael Brady, 38, George Dolo, 70, Wilson Nolasco-Lopez, 25, Xaviel Paredes, 31, Odige Theodule, 20, Richard Sullivan, 34, and January Mkumbo, 44. 

Seven of those arrested are from Lynn. 

Connick said  “We want to thank our law enforcement partners, including the numerous officers from surrounding cities and towns, who assisted [in the operation] including the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police.” 

The Item requested the police reports but was unable to obtain the full report before publication.