The Parkersburg Police Department started an investigation in October involving prostitution and other illegal activities, Martin said. Investigators became aware of specific methods that were being utilized to promote prostitution in the Parkersburg area. The investigators located several ads on Backpage.
Investigators were able to gather new intelligence from these sting operations that assisted other criminal investigations as well, he said. From the investigation operations, detectives were able to obtain arrest warrants for eight individuals for prostitution, all misdemeanors. The investigation will continue to identify additional suspects who may operate on these types of websites, Martin said. He noted that police do not have any information indicating any connections among the defendants that would indicate the existence of an organized prostitution ring.
Duelley, 26, Covert St. Carlton, 27, Spring St. Smith, 30, Spring St. According to the criminal complaint filed in magistrate court at the time of his arraignment, Ramage is alleged on Oct. The complaint alleges Church paid Ramage to drive her to that location. The criminal complaints filed in magistrate court against Davis, Smith, Church and Duelley all contain similar language. They allege that each defendant met with an undercover officer who had previously set up a meeting with them by replying to an ad each defendant had posted on the website Backpage.
Each entered a hotel room for the meeting and allegedly agreed to have intercourse in exchange for money, the complaint said. The criminal complaint filed against Carlton said she met with an undercover officer at a location in Parkersburg after previously setting up a meeting by responding to an ad she had posted on the website Backpage.
The complaint alleges Carlton entered the room and engaged the undercover officer in conversation, during which she used words and phrases involved in the transaction of sex for money. She allegedly discussed prices and instructed the undercover officer to place money on the table. When detectives entered the room, they found Carlton undressing and the money placed on the table by the undercover officer was inside her purse, the complaint stated.
