CEDAR RAPIDS (KWWL) -
A three-day prostitution sting in Cedar Rapids has ended with 37 people facing charges. The Linn County Sheriff's office says the operation was designed to stop human trafficking and prostitution in the metro area. Law enforcement officials placed electronic and print ads to catch the prostitutes.
The joint operation included law enforcement from 12 agencies including the Linn County Sheriff's Office, Cedar Rapids and Marion Police Departments, and other surrounding police departments. Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshal's Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation also assisted in the operation.
The suspects are from all over the country including people from eastern Iowa as well as New Jersey, Florida, and California. Sheriff Brian Gardner said he was relieved no juveniles were found during the operation, but that doesn't mean no teens are involved in prostitution in the area.
"Unfortunately I don't think this is going to be the end of it. I think as long as there are ads that can be placed, as long as people continue to answer them, this may be something we do again," Gardner said.
37 people are charged with prostitution. Three more people face other charges.
Those charged with prostitution are:
Krystal Martin, 12/22/1989, Camanche
Leisha Brzozowski, 9/20/1990, Chippewa Falls, WI
Cassandra Ottinger, 6/22/1990, Eau Claire, WI
Melissa Lee Hogan, 7/3/1984, Cedar Rapids
Madonna Collins, 2/10/1986, Wheaton, IL
Kelvin Davis, 5/5/1964, Cedar Rapids
Bryan Herity, 1/3/1968, Morris Plains, NJ
Nicholas Burden, 08/11/1980, Mt. Pleasant
Douglas Reibling, 02/10/1974, Dubuque
Keith Morrison, 12/14/1974, Liberty, MO
Stephen Baxley, 01/23/1958, Robins
Tonieka Williams, 09/14/1988, Kaseta, MN
Ashley Palmer, 09/14/1990, Sherrard, IL
Jennifer McCrary, 11/20/1984, Eldridge
Angelina Kennedy, 05/21/1986, Rock Island, IL
Emma Beadel, 03/27/1990, Eldridge
Shaina Fay, 06/23/1988, Cedar Rapids
Stephanie Keister, 04/28/1981, Cedar Rapids
Mark Fischer, 12/02/1948, Cedar Rapids
Dmitry Stupak, 10/21/1980, Iowa City
Nicholas Kuennen, 05/07/1979, Center Point
Mark Pelleymounter, 02/18/1957, Cedar Falls
David Collins, 02/04/1961, Independence
Steven Baker Jr., 10/18/1977, Cedar Rapids
Daniel Horn, 07/13/1976, Fort Madison
James A. Girres, 12/26/1945, Cedar Falls
Joseph Kiecksee, 11/8/1973, Marion
Joshua Chambers, 08/05/1982, Cedar Rapids
Keyan Zhao, 09/28/1979, Menlo Park, CA
Jeremy Brimeyer, 08/29/1978, Marion
Brandi Turner, 12/08/77, Atkins
Jamie West, 01/30/85, Davenport
Gumaro Sanchez, 05/02/74, East Moline, IL
Jason A. Shannon, 08/09/73, Miami, FL
Mark Ketchum, 03/05/58, Marion
Bradley Rodriquez, 09/13/64, Iowa City
Jason Ramirez, 12/22/75, Hiawatha
The following people were arrested during the sting, but face charges not related to prostitutions:
Jeffroe Washington, 07/25/1991, Waterloo
Troy Williams, 01/10/1979, Davenport
Dion Peters, 04/16/1984, Camanche
