Editor's note: One name has been removed from this story due to charges being dropped.
Police in Ankeny, Iowa say they arrested 11 people who responded to an online ad they placed as part of a prostitution sting.
A registered nurse, a union representative, an insurance agent and an Iowa State University professor are among those arrested in their most recent sting, conducted Wednesday, November 6, 2013.
Investigators said they had about 200 inquiries after they placed an ad online. The stings they conduct rotate among a dozen Ankeny hotels, and are aimed at online predators who may be involved in human trafficking.
Michael Spurlock, an agriculture and life sciences professor at Iowa State University, was among the eight men and three women arrested Nov. 6. Police published this list of people charged in connection with the investigation:
Name AgeAddressOccupation Andrew Novak (m) 27 Ames, IA mechanic Chris Gilroy (m) 61 Story City, IA insurance agent Scott Daniel (m) 45 Pleasant Hill, IA registered nurse Rita Gray (f) 45 Des Moines, IA, David Nord (m) 48 Sleepy Eye, MN construction Michael Spurlock (m) 54 Ames, IA professor Thwang Chia Hlun (m) 25 Des Moines, IA cook Sarina Williams (f) 21 Des Moines, IA cook Erin Blue (f) 28 Des Moines, IA Luis Espinoza 40 Denver, CO union representative
All of the suspects were charged with one count of misdemeanor prostitution. Police said Erin Blue was also charged with interference and that she had two unrelated outstanding warrants when she was arrested.
Most of the people arrested have been released from the Polk County Jail after posting bond.
