Four more men charged in May prostitution sting

Four more Twin Cities area men – none from Eden Prairie – have been charged in Hennepin County District Court with gross misdemeanor counts of prostitution following a multi-agency sting operation on May 18 that included the Eden Prairie Police Department.

The charges follow those against four other men announced in June. They were from Elk River, Mound, Chaska, and Shakopee.

The sex trafficking and prostitution operation dubbed “Hot 21 Girl Next Door” was conducted on May 15 and 18 and also involved officers from Bloomington, Edina, and Plymouth.

The sting was set up using multiple advertisements posted on websites between May 15 and 17 that included three clothed photos of an undercover police officer with a narrative beneath them.

All the arrests were made on May 18 at a hotel near Interstate 494 and Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie.

According to the complaints:

• A 64-year-old Edina man responded to one of the ads and agreed to pay $180 for sexual services. After he was arrested, police found $122.73 in his pockets, and he was carrying two 5-Hour Energy drinks. He admitted to coming to Eden Prairie to have sex with someone for money.

• A 40-year-old St. Paul man also responded to the ads and agreed to pay $80 for a “quick visit,” plus $40 more for a possible “upcharge” for additional services. When arrested, he had $120 in his pocket and was carrying a 5-Hour Energy drink. He declined to make a statement to police.

• A 54-year-old Lakeville man agreed to pay $100 for 30 minutes. Upon his arrest, officers found $5 in his pocket. He admitted to coming to Eden Prairie for sexual services that he had hired.

• A 39-year-old Brooklyn Center man agreed to pay $100 for 30 minutes. When arrested, he had $100 in his pocket. The defendant said he came to Eden Prairie to meet “somebody I wanted to have fun with.” He also admitted he had agreed to pay $100 for a half-hour of sex.

Prostitution is considered a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota and is punishable by imprisonment of up to a year and/or a fine of up to $3,000. All of the defendants have been summoned to appear in Hennepin County District Court.

Editor’s note: Eden Prairie Local News’ policy is not to name individuals charged with crimes in Eden Prairie except in instances involving public officials, particularly significant crimes, or in other cases deemed appropriate, in which EPLN will follow the case through the court system.