Police are specifically targeting gay men in Meridian Hill Park, a federal park in Washington, D.C., in sex-related sting operations, Washington Blade reports.

Sgt. Eduardo Delgado, a Park Police public information officer, says 26 arrests made since last August were prompted by public complaints about “lewd acts” in the park. They involve charges of disorderly conduct, lewd acts, unlawful entry, and simple assault (sexual).

D.C. defense attorney John Albanes alleges that several of these men arrested at Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, were busted by undercover officers posing as consenting prospective partners interested in sex.

These plain-clothes officers "entice men in Meridian Hill Park for purportedly consensual sexual activity and then proceed to arrest their targets for a crime (often misdemeanor sexual abuse),” Albanes says. “I find this pattern extremely disturbing and reminiscent of the Stonewall days when gay men were often the target of police discrimination. The tactics used in these cases just fly in the face of proper police work and should be exposed.”

“The officers are posing as willing participants in a consensual encounter between adults,” Albanes continues. “The target is deceived into thinking that what he is about to do is wanted. This raises serious doubts about whether the government can prove criminal intent.”

“The U.S. Park Police receives complaints about lewd acts that occur within Meridian Hill,” says Delgado in response to Albanes' claims. “As with any other complaint of illegal activity, we then take actions to stop it. Plain clothes officers are just one method of enforcement sometimes used to deter, stop, and/or arrest violators within the parks.”

None of the lawyers representing the arrested men reached out to the Blade for comment. “I suspect the attorneys—in line with their ethical obligations—do not want to disclose client confidences without their informed consent,” Albanes explains, noting that many of the clients are likely closeted.

The Blade reports that despite the 12-acre D.C. park's reputation as a cruising spot for African-American gay men, it is better known by patrons as "a cultural melting pot."