Ogden police arrest six in prostitution sting
linda Marjorie Fuller
Brenda Kay Parsons
Brittani Marie White
Melissa Jean Putman
Rebecca Marie Putman
OGDEN — The world’s oldest profession has gone from advertising its wares with red lights to advertising on Facebook, and police have taken notice.
The Ogden Police Department performed a prostitution sting operation Friday, arresting women whom officers contacted through small local newspapers and online escort sites.
“We’ve been noticing an increase in advertisement,” Police Lt. Scott Conley said.
Officers have seen more women listed as escorts on websites such as Backpage.com, Cityvibe.com and Craigslist.com.
“You will see things like, ‘We’ll be in town from such and such date, come see me,’?” Conley said.
The police are aware of the situation and are trying to eradicate it from the community, Conley said.
Police made an agreement with a local apartment complex for the operation. In one apartment, police set up their command post, while another served as the meeting location.
Officers made contact with 12 to 14 women through different advertisers, professing to the women that they were looking for companionship.
Upon a woman’s arrival, the conversation would go from her role as an escort to a discussion of the value of a sexual act.
Police made six custodial arrests and issued one citation. Charges included prostitution and running a business without a license. According to the Ogden city ordinance, all escort services must be licensed.
Officers booked the arrested women into the Weber County Jail.
The women arrested in the sting on suspicion of prostitution are Linda Marjorie Fuller, 62; Brenda Kay Parsons, 45; Brittani Marie White, 25; along with sisters Melissa Jean Putman, 21, and Rebecca Marie Putman, 18. The Putmans were arrested at separate times. The women all live in Ogden or the surrounding areas.
Parsons had an outstanding warrant from Salt Lake City.
Police also arrested Sanya Kim Child, 38, in the sting for operating without a business license. Another women received a citation for operating without a business license as well, but was not arrested.
Police will continue to monitor escort advertising, Conley said, adapting to the changes in technology.
“We’re trying to make a statement that we’re not going to allow it to occur in our jurisdiction,” Conley said. “We are going to have another one (sting operation) here really soon.”