Police: Communication Among Female Prostitutes Prevented More Arrests

Last week's Linn County prostitution sting focused on arresting and charging both female prostitutes and customers.

Marion Police Investigations Lieutenant Scott Elam said that as the three-day sting in area hotels progressed, fewer females were arrested. He chalks this up to the females having a better network of communication.

"I imagine they were posting things that the cops were active in Linn County," he said.

More than 20 law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation, which included stings in a hotel in Marion and one in Cedar Rapids, partially due to this concern, Elam said.

The  last week led to 40 arrests, 37 of which were for prostitution.

The investigation is ongoing. Elam told Marion Patch on Monday thatand that human trafficking was not ruled out as a possible charge.

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