Craigslist prostitution sting nabs 10

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Ten women were busted in Newport News for allegedly offering sex in exchange for money on the popular Website Craigslist.

Newport News detectives, responding to several complaints, conducted an operation on Tuesday, from 2 p.m to midnight, making contact with women advertising thier services on Craigslist.

It was rather obvious says Newport News Police spokesperson Lou Thurston.

"You go to Craigslist to the page for Hampton Roads and you look under services and there's the word adult."
 

Detectives tell WAVY.com the first case involved a woman operating out of her apartment in the 700 blk. of Shadwell Court in Newport News. Detectives charged the woman, identified as Lashonda Sallaway, with Prostitution and Possession of Marijuana. Ms. Sallaway has since been released on a summons.

One resident of Jefferson East apartments says she's surprised people complained since most residents keep to themselves.

"They actually realized something was going down and they decided to say something about it and I can't believe the police actually took it seriously and came," says Fowler.

The remainder of the operation involved a detective arranging to meet the "prostitute" at a motel in the 700 block of J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. In each case, detectives say the women offered sex in exchange for money.

The following women were charged with Prostitution and released on a summons.

• Angela Thigpen, 32, of Portsmouth
• Patricia-Ann Rausch, 35, of Norfolk
• Jessica Kidd, 28, of Newport News
• Shaleta Stevens (Second Offense), 29, of Newport News
• Amanda Cox, 18, of Newport News
• Maria Hawkins, 19, of Virginia Beach
• Shamerc Leonard, 22, of Newport News
• Chamanda Johnson of Newport News (Also charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana)

A 20-year-old Norfolk woman, identified as Danielle Charlene O'Toole was also arrested in the sting and charged with Illegal Possession of a Schedule II Drug , a felony offense.

All prostitution charges are misdemeanors.