Seven arrested in prostitution sting

COLUMBIA — Seven people were arrested Wednesday in connection with a prostitution sting that stemmed from ads placed in the Columbia Daily Tribune and on Web sites including craigslist.com, Capt. Brad Nelson of Columbia Police Department said.

Nelson said the department spent a few weeks planning the sting.

The sting, which involved 20 officers, was initiated in response to numerous complaints received from citizens primarily regarding the ads being printed in the classifieds section of the Tribune, as well as some found online, Nelson said.

“We just looked at the adult personal services section, called them, talked to them and built a case,” Nelson said.

Officers “asked them to come over, confirmed that they were the ones that we had spoken with on the phone, and — when it was clear they were offering sex for money — the arrests were made,” he said.

The west Columbia hotel used for the operation was picked at random, and Nelson said the location was of no significance.

Police arrested Julie L. Miles, 27, of Columbia, on charges of prostitution, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and an outstanding warrant.

Five other suspects were arrested on charges of prostitution: Ebonie T. Brooks, 31, of Rocheport; Shannelle I. Tillman, 25; Kendra R. Ayers, 23; Tiara D. Jones, 24; and Alexandra L. Wells, 18, all of Columbia.

Police also arrested Charmaine E. Brown, 29, of Columbia, on charges of felony delivery of a controlled substance for approximately 1.5 grams of crack cocaine, according to the news release.

Brown was the only one still in custody as of Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding the arrests should submit tips to the CrimeStoppers Web site, 875tips.com.