EVERETT – For the second time this year, Everett police used a popular Web site to nab suspected prostitutes who reportedly agreed to meet them for sex through online classified ads.
Three women and a teenage girl were cited with prostitution Wednesday when they offered undercover officers sex for money at a local hotel, Everett police Sgt. Boyd Bryant said.
Police used Craigslist.org to arrange the meet-ups, Bryant said.
“If someone wants to play with online prostitution, they shouldn’t be surprised if they find an Everett police officer,” Bryant said.
Earlier this year, detectives were tipped off to women posting sex-for-hire ads on the Internet. In May, five women and a teenage girl were cited with prostitution after police arranged to meet them through Craigslist.
The Web site offers household items for sale, employment opportunities and personal advertisements. There’s also a category called erotic services.
The category was added at the request of users who didn’t want erotic ads mixed in with regular personals, Craigslist spokesman Jim Buckmaster said.
Soliciting illegal activities such as prostitution is prohibited on Craigslist. Users are asked to flag pages they believe violate the Web site’s terms of service.
“It’s also important to note that craigslist appreciates and cooperates fully with the efforts of law enforcement officers,” Buckmaster said.
A quick search of the erotic services category reveals several sexually charged ads, such as one titled, “I only look innocent… I love to play.”
Craiglist was meant for an adult audience, Buckmaster said.
Everett police promised to continue surfing the Internet to crack down on prostitution, Bryant said.
“Prostitution poses a health risk to the general public,” he said.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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