Assault Puts Spotlight On Online Prostitution

Prostitutes using social media and Backpage.com to meet customers has been a growing trend in the last few years, Sgt. Rob Flores said. Police have released the names of Jacoby Carrier, 24, and Jerimey Rowe, 21, who were charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Riley said the robbery charge stems from the men stealing items from the woman's vehicle and forcing her to give them the PIN number. A manager at the Red Roof Inn did not return a call from The Enterprise about its guests and whether employees have noticed activity that could suggest prostitution is taking place. Flores said using social media and websites create more problems than the "traditional" prostitution where people work on the streets. Technology gives the prostitutes and would-be clients anonymity that prevent them from forming a more immediate and accurate impression of one another and the relative safety of a meeting.