It was like an 'Angie's List' for hookers. Before legal authorities pulled the plug this week, a Columbus, Ohio man was operating a prostitution site on Craigslist, the popular free Internet classified ads website. On a website created by Christopher Johnson, customers were able to post reviews about hookers they had hired through Craigslist ads. Johnson set up a $10 raffle for his website members offering free sex with the top-rated prostitute.
Attorney generals in 40 states have joined interim Ohio Attorney General Nancy Rogers in cracking down on illegal prostitution postings on Craigslist. This is not the first time Craigslist has been under fire from law enforcement officials for running prostitution ads. The website has been cooperating with legal authorities across the U.S. to implement new measures to stop the promotion of illegal prostitution and sex services in Ohio, Los Angeles and across the country. Under the new agreement with the Ohio Attorney General, Craigslist will collect a $5 credit card fee from anyone posting an erotic-services ad. Those records will be available to law enforcement officers.
Johnson is out on $25,000 bond after being charged with one felony count of promoting prostitution. An academic advising coordinator for the Ohio State University College of Nursing for the past three years and an OSU employee since 2003, Johnson has been placed on unpaid leave and is under investigation by the University. The prize for Johnson's raffle, Vanise Dunn, pleaded not guilty to a charge of prostitution, a misdemeanor. A caseworker with Franklin County Children Services for 8 years, Dunn investigates charges of child sexual abuse. She is on paid leave while awaiting trial.
In California, solicitation for prostitution, also called solicitation or prostitution, is a misdemeanor, but pandering or pimping is a felony. Ads in newspapers and on Internet sites like Craigslist that offer the services of a "masseuse," "personal escort" or "call girl" are usually fronts for prostitution services. In California, it's a criminal offense to both provide sex for payment and receive sex for payment. In large cities like Los Angeles where prostitution is rampant, law enforcement agencies employ undercover techniques to catch violators and vigorously prosecute both prostitutes and the people who purchase their services. Penalties include jail, probation, fines, public embarrassment and loss of employment.
If you are charged with prostitution, solicitation, pandering or another sex crime, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the law office of Rodriguez, Lewis & Kahn.
