Lynnwood police working with Everett police and U. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested 10 women, ages 17 to 47, for investigation of prostitution. They also arrested five men on suspicion of promoting prostitution and on other vice charges, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said. The arrests were made at the Lynnwood hotel in an effort to put a dent into illegal escort services advertised on the Craigslist Web site, Sessions said.
Craigslist operates classified advertising Web sites around the world. The Internet site allows advertisements for erotic services, similar to the ads found in some newspapers and yellow pages. On Monday, hundreds of ads were listed on Craigslist offering dates in Snohomish County.
And together with Craigslist users and law enforcement, we are working continually to eliminate it. This time, the sting was done when detectives noticed an increase in activity on Craigslist, Sessions said.
The year before, Everett police used the same tactic, trolling Craigslist for women and girls engaged in prostitution. On Friday, undercover agents again set up the meetings and the women were arrested after they agreed to have sex for money.
The officers did not engage in sexual activity. Two of the 10 women arrested were under 18, Sessions said. One of the five men arrested also is under federal investigation. Reporter Jackson Holtz: or jholtz heraldnet.
