Howard County police arrested five men in a prostitution sting Sunday night.
Officers arrested the men at a hotel in the 8800 block of Columbia 100 Parkway in Howard County. The men responded to fake ads on the website Backpage—a site known by police to be used for prostitution.
Men who called the number in the ad spoke to an undercover female officer who set up a meeting place. When the men arrived and offered money for sex they were arrested and charged with solicitation of prostitution and disorderly conduct.
Howard County police regularly posts ads on websites known for prostititution warning people of the dangers of illegal activity. The ads read: LOOKING FOR A GIRL? POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU.
The operation is part of Howard County’s ongoing efforts to combat prostitution and human trafficking.
