Three women are scheduled to appear in court in May after their arrest this month in Greenbrier for allegedly advertising sexual services on the Internet. The women used Craigslist to advertise. Arrangements were made for undercover detectives, posing as customers, to meet the women at the hotel, according to Dorienne Boykin, a police spokeswoman. They were arrested and released on summons, police said. Police arrested Tonya Hardesty, 24, of the block of Balview Ave. Jamie Damone, 25, of the block of Lake Smith Drive in Virginia Beach was arrested for prostitution and possession of marijuana.
A third woman has other prostitution charges pending against her in Norfolk. Police there asked that information about her not be released at this time, fearing it would jeopardize their case. All three women are scheduled to appear in Chesapeake General District Court 9 a. May 19 on the misdemeanor charges. With the popularity of the Craigslist, illegal businesses offering sexual services online are becoming commonplace throughout the country.
Police in other communities have used Craigslist to conduct similar stings. Eight people were arrested this year in Henrico, for their involvement in Craigslist sexual offers. By Pilot Online. More in News.
