KRIS

Posted : Jan 25, 2010 5:18 PM
Updated: Jan 25, 2010 7:01 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI -- The Corpus Christi Police Department went undercover on craigslist this weekend and arrested five men who they say were trying to solicit a prostitute.

Police say they posted ads on craigslist trying to attract people looking to hire a prostitute. They say it was just part of routine checks they do on networking websites but this is the first time they have actually posted an ad online; and they were able to make five arrests.

There are four first time offenders: Pablo Flores, Daniel Ortiz, Misrain Hernandez and Luis Rodriguez. And one repeat offender, David McFarling; this is his second arrest for prostitution.

Police say the men all met up with an undercover female police officer Saturday afternoon and verbally agreed to pay for a sex act.

     The vice division says the internet isn't as big of a problem as prostitution on the streets but it's still a good tool for their ongoing crack down.

"It doesn't seem to be the biggest source, I mean most of it is street level prostitution but randomly going through craigslist and other websites that do these kind of networking sites and stuff you can see that its there," Captain John Houston with the Narcotics/Vice Investigation Division.

Captain Houston says there are some difficulties finding online offenders because posting an ad on the internet and asking to meet someone is not illegal and he says most online ads are also very vague.

The men could get a six month jail sentence and a $2,000 fine. The narcotics division says this is just part of their continued crackdown on prostitution that's led to 20 arrests for prostitution in three weeks. More sting operations both online and on the streets are expected. Officers say despite some improvements their biggest focus is still Leopard Street.