Local Motels Helping Police Catch 'Johns'

by Jill Johnson
February 01, 2013 4:34 PM


Police say they have conducted another successful prostitution sting in Sioux Falls. Three men have been arrested for hiring for sexual activity at a local motel.

The sting was conducted by the Street Crimes and Narcotics Units throughout the day Thursday into the evening hours. This particular sting is what they call a reverse prositution sting because they're targeting the 'johns' instead of prostitutes.

According to Police, the stings usually begin on the web.

Officer Sam Clemens said, "They had posted an ad on the internet and we had three people that responded to that."

Police say their undercover female officers, posing as prostitutes, were contacted by the men. Then they arranged a meeting at a local motel.

Clemens said, "Once they get to the room, they agree on that price and then they're arrested."

They arrested 52-year-old Adam Alrubaie of Hartford, who arrived at the motel just before 4 p.m. as well as 63-year-old Daniel Klecker of Sioux Falls, who came just after 4 o'clock. At around 9 p.m., 30-year-old Mitchell Whitefield of Grand Rapids, Michigan showed up. He was also arrested.

"I hope people are getting the message that we're not going to be taking prostitution lightly. I would imagine there's probably going to more of these stings sometime in the future," said Clemens.

Police say each time they've conducted such prostitution stings, they've been successful. They would like to think it's because the work they're doing with the local motels. Their street crimes unit has been training their employees on how to recognize criminal activity, information they're not only sharing with other hotels but with police as well.
    
Clemens said, "We get a lot of tips from hotels when they recognize this type of behavior and they'll call officers and say I believe prostitution is happening or we have this type of criminal behavior or suspicious behavior that's happening."

The last time police conducted a reverse prostitution sting was on Aug. 30. In that sting, police arrested eight people.