Law enforcement officials say five people were arrested Thursday in Rapid City when detectives conducted an undercover operation investigating online advertisements related to prostitution.
Rapid City police department spokesperson Tarah Heupel says this is part of ongoing work to combat sex crimes in South Dakota communities.
“Detectives also investigated several people who had been responding to online ads related to prostitution. As a result of that operation five people were arrested – three men were arrested for hiring for sexual activity. In addition, one woman was arrested for prostitution and a second woman was arrested for violation of a sales tax license and practicing massage without a license,” says Heupel.
Heupel says the three people arrested include a 33-year old man from Rapid City, a 50- year old man from Spearfish, and a 52-year old man from Sturgis. She says hiring for sexual activity and prostitution are both class 1 misdemeanors.
- Steven Uthe, 50 of Spearfish, cited for hiring for sexual activity.
- Joshua Gray, 33 of Rapid City, cited for hiring for sexual activity.
- Kevin Abeln, 52 of Sturgis, arrested for hiring for sexual activity and driving with a revoked license.
- Alexandra Williams, 26 of Milwaukee, WI, arrested for prostitution.
- Niccole Jackson, 28 of Milwaukee, WI, arrested for violation of sales tax license and practicing massage without a license.
