Attorneys general in at least 40 states have cracked down on what they think are prostitute postings on a Web site that authorities say a Columbus man used to set up a sort of consumer's bureau for johns. Law-enforcement officers then can subpoena the credit-card information for criminal investigation. Chris Geidner, a lawyer with Rogers' office, said the goal of the agreement was to reduce listings for illegal activity on craigslist, a free classified-advertising site.
The central Ohio site had about 60 erotic-service ads on Nov. Columbus police say that Christopher S. Johnson created a Web site where customers could offer reviews on hookers they'd hired through craigslist.
Johnson, of Baytree Dr. They also say that Johnson invited the members of his Web site to a party at S. Front St. The house was later rented to one of the prostitutes who continued to operate it as a brothel. The university put him on unpaid leave yesterday because of his arrest, OSU spokesman Jim Lynch said. The university also is investigating Johnson's actions.
Police said the prize for Johnson's raffle was sex with Vanise M. Dunn, 31, a caseworker for Franklin County Children Services for eight years. She has been on paid leave from her job investigating child sexual abuse since she was arrested on Nov. Dunn, of Valencia Park Blvd. No other charges have been filed against her. Also charged with promoting prostitution is Rusty Blades, 42, of Rathmell Rd. Police say he owns the Front Street property.
He has had a real-estate license since May Authorities say the woman who rented the house from Blades is year-old Hania Novembre, of Linnet Ave. She appeared before Judge David Tyack in Franklin County Municipal Court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of soliciting and prostitution. Novembre has been free since her arrest at the Front Street house on Nov.
