10 cited in online prostitution sting in Corvallis: 'There is problem in our community'

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Detectives cited 10 men on charges of misdemeanor Commercial Sexual Solicitation during a two-day online prostitution sting Wednesday and Thursday, the Benton County Sheriff's Office said.

This is likely not the last operation of its kind, sheriff's office officials said.

"We have identified there is problem in our community," Captain Don Rogers said, "and will continue to assess the need for future operations involving online solicitation for sex."

Earlier this year, detectives placed two advertisements online to assess the extent of the problem in Benton County.

Over 200 men and women "responded indicating a desire to engage in sexual activity for money," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "Those interested included including registered sex offenders and felons with active warrants."

This week, detectives placed a new advertisement online.

"Of the 70 persons who responded to the ad to pay for sex, 10 arrived at a local hotel. The men were taken into custody," the sheriff's office said. "Once the men initially agreed to pay a fee to engage in sexual conduct or contact, the Oregon crime of Commercial Sexual Solicitation (ORS 167.008Â) was committed, and the men were arrested for a Class A Misdemeanor."

The suspects were cited and released.

"Prostitution is a dangerous criminal enterprise, closely related to narcotics, violence, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation of women and children, and in some cases human trafficking," the sheriff's office said in a statement about the operation. "This operation demonstrates how prevalent prostitution is in Benton County and Oregon."