MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — 16 people are facing prostitution charges after an undercover sting. During the operation Mobile Police Officers used the internet to set up exchanges on different websites.

The prostitution charges are misdemeanors, but officers say these types of operations help them prevent more violent crimes.

“We have worked many cases over the years where deals go bad,” said Major John Barber. “So they have a deal set up and now it’s a rip off, it’s a robbery. We’ve had shootings that have occurred in these transactions and up to homicides as well. Someone might go into the room thinking that they’re going to purchase sex from a female and all of a sudden there are two guys in the room to rob them. Maybe perhaps that goes even worse and there’s somebody shot. We know there are more major crimes associated with the illegal sex trade and that’s why we attack this.”

The following is a press release from Mobile Police:

The Mobile Police Department Narcotics and Vice Unit arrested 16 individuals during Operation Snag this week. Officers posed as prostitutes in an effort to curtail the street-level crime of prostitution that is often linked to other violent crimes.

Officers conducted the sting operation at multiple locations citywide on May 9.

Here is a list of the individuals arrested and their charges.

Number of Arrested:                     16

Patronizing a Prostitute:               6

Solicitation of Prostitution:          10                          

 1.       Nicole Prince, 28

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

  2.    Clifton Hoyle, 41

·         Patronizing a Prostitute

  3.    Kaneca Snell, 40

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

·         Possession of Marijuana Second Degree

  4.    Tina Watson, 40

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

  5.    Clyde Scott, 60

·         Patronizing a Prostitute

  6.     Doyle Givens, 59

·         Patronizing a Prostitute

 7.     Darrion Young, 26

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

   8.     Shirley Weaver, 32

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

  9.     Sierra Weaver, 23

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

·         Attempting to Elude Police

·         Resisting Arrest

 10.     Kayla Johnson, 20

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

 11.    Robert Barston, 44

·         Patronizing a Prostitute

12.     Frederick Slay, 45

·         Patronizing a Prostitute

13.     Curtis Williams, 32

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

14.     Steve Abney, 38

·         Patronizing a Prostitute

15.     Jalen Foxx, 24

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution

·         Possession of Marijuana Second Degree

·         Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 16.    Johnny Phillips, 38

·         Soliciting for the Purpose of Prostitution