Vice squad clicks on Internet prostitution ads

EUGENE, Ore. -- A prohibited occupation known for walking the streets now contacts clients by surfing the Web, and the problem of advertising prostitution on the Internet has the attention of police in Eugene, Ore.

The Eugene Police Department’s Vice Narcotics Unit has observed a rise in the number of individuals using the Internet to advertise prostitution service, with 15 to 30 postings occurring each day, according to the department.

Officer report an increasing numbers of underage females engaged in prostitution and associated crimes, such as robbery, assault and drug use.

The Eugene vice squad now monitors and acts to disrupt Internet advertising for prostitution.

On Tuesday, police arrested one suspect and cited several other suspects on suspicion of prostitution.

Police say Amber Renee Insley, a.ka. Kimberly Rae, showed up at a motel in east Eugene after detectives responded to a posting on the Internet. The 25-year-old arrived armed with what police described "a large fighting-style knife." She was arrested without incident, according to police, and charged with prostitution.