Prostitution Sting Targets Local 'Johns'

March 1, 2004 at 1:38 AM CST - Updated June 26 at 11:37 AM

Reporter: Rhanda Stewart

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

NEWSWATCH EXCLUSIVE: Four Evansville men are caught trying to buy sex from a undercover officer Sunday night .

Evansville police say when the weather heats up, so does the prostitution business.

On Evansville's south side four men are charged with patronizing prostitution in an undercover sting.

Officers say at least 25 cars stopped to talk with a female officer dressed as a prostitute and they had enough evidence to charge four of them.

Larry Patrick, 39-years-old, was the only one arrested out of the four, because he also resisted law enforcement.

The other three, 43-year-old Michael Summers, 33-year-old John Crave, and 39-year-old Anthony Morris, were ticketed for patronizing prostitution.

Officer Todd Seibert says, "We've had numerous, numerous complaints have come into the south sector office about the prostitution and prostitutes that are out walking in the south sector. Our philosophy is that if you take away the 'Johns' - basically like the customers with prostitutes - just like any other business, you take the customers away - it takes the business We know we aren't going to end it, but we know we can slow it down. And we let people know that we are out here and we will target the people trying to pick up the prostitutes."

Those cited will go to court on the charges where, if convicted, they could get up to a year in jail.