Some cyber-savvy prostitutes have found out that high-tech hooking isn't as discrete as they first thought. Earlier this week, Covington Police arrested three women who were trying to sell their goods and services on a popular website. But as Joe Webb tells us, the john they hooked up with was Johnny Law. Brittany Ragland and Danielle Faul of Amelia and Vera Syck of Price Hill all face prostitution charges in Kenton County. They weren't rounded up on the street corner.

Capt. Teal Nally, Covington Police: "We received some complaints, multiple complaints that there was prostitution activity going on in our city and those services were being offered through Craig's List."

So, officers trolled the popular site. If you go to Cincinnati services and click on erotic, there are 531 different offers of all kinds. Police made initial contact online and face-to-face contact at two Covington hotels Wednesday night.

"These hotels certainly had nothing to do with this and actually they were assisting the police department."

Police say Vera Syck advertised on her own website.

"In fact, that night that she came to meet the police officer, she brought the same outfit that she had on in the website with her."

Police say she had agreed to a rate of $200 an hour. Craig's List recently entered into agreements with several attorney generals, including Kentucky and Ohio's. They agreed to share information and cooperate with law enforcement. It's not clear just who complained to Covington about Craig's List, but prosecutors say cooperation from websites is crucial to building cases.

Rob Sanders, Kenton Co. Commonwealth's Attorney: "That's why we've seen people engaged in prostitution go to things like Craig's List just because God knows where that is headquartered and where that information is stored. They don't have to honor a subpoena from Kentucky, if they're not in Kentucky."

And with the world's oldest profession moving from the street corner to the internet, police and prosecutors will have to learn more new tricks just to keep up. All three women were released from the Kenton County jail.

Brittany Ragland called Local 12 to say she is innocent of the charges.

-- Modified on 12/7/2008 9:29:28 PM

It will back fired. what is this world coming to.

With or without CL management cooperation...  this is a standard LE tactic.  CL is very visible.  Any soccer Mom can call in a complaint.  CL is also very easy to get LE quota of busts so they can get the ink for "cracking down"...  without interrupting the coffee & donut runs.  

I believe most hotels are well aware of providers who use their facilities.  I think they like the room occupancy.  But they really can't do anything but cooperate when LE comes calling.  
skb