Chattanooga police have netted two dozen arrests in a three-month prostitution sting.
The department's Special Investigations Division conducted several prostitution and prostitution-related investigations that resulted in 24 arrests, police spokeswoman Sgt. Jerri Weary said.
Fifteen women and one man were arrested and charged with prostitution by offering sex for money, reports show. Eight men were arrested for offering cash for sex acts, according to police.
Some of the arrests occurred at two East Chattanooga hotels, Microtel at 7014 McCutcheon Road and the Holiday Inn Express at 7024 McCutcheon Road.
Police wouldn't divulge any information about the arrests. Sgt. Weary said only that it was an ongoing effort to arrest both prostitutes and their patrons.
The arrests came as a surprise to Chattanooga City Councilman Jack Benson, who represents the area in which the hotels are located.
"I am completely surprised because I've never had any indication of that going on over there," Mr. Benson said.
But if police are cracking down on the activity, he's pleased, Mr. Benson said.
"I'm just happy police are working to stop this sort of thing," he said. "I certainly want them to stop this sort of activity."
In the police's Fox Zone, Chattanooga's busiest patrol zone, there were just 59 arrests for prostitution in 2008. The Fox Zone comprises Rossville Boulevard and other southern parts of the city, according to the department's 2008 annual report.
The 24 most recent prostitution arrests were throughout Chattanooga.
WHO WAS ARRESTED
* Christina Arrington, 24, arrested in the 1000 block of East Main Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Eugene Bartenfield Jr., 61, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Albert Chan, 39, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Joyce Cayton, 50, arrested in the 1700 block of Willow Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Jerome Nick Davis, 31, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Michael Farr, 42, arrested at 7024 McCutcheon Road and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Dollie Anita Fears, 48, arrested in the 1900 block of Dodds Avenue and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Stacy Wilson Hammock, 49, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* William Huntley, 62, arrested at 7024 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Jennifer Leigh Harrington, 31, arrested at 7024 McCutcheon Road and charged with promoting prostitution and prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* James Michael Hodge, 31, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Kathy Johnson, 43, arrested in the 2800 block of South Hickory Street and charged with obstructing the highway or other passage.
* Amy McCullough, 46, arrested in the 3900 block of Rossville Boulevard and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Darla McElroy, 23, arrested in the 2000 block of South Willow Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Lakeesha Watkins McClendon, 32, arrested in the 1800 block of South Willow Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Heather Palmer, 34, arrested at 7024 McCutcheon Road and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Antoinette Parker, 29, arrested at 7024 McCutcheon Road and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Jimmy Ray Pinion, 53, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Margaret Stapp, 50, arrested in the 1300 block of East Main Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Laura Stuckey, 41, arrested in the 1300 block of South Holly Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Susan Shank, 35, arrested in the 1500 block of East Main Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* Shelia Shrum, 49, arrested in the 1800 block of South Willow Street and charged with prostitution within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
* James Scottie Walters, 30, arrested at 7014 McCutcheon Road and charged with soliciting a prostitute within 1 1/2 miles of a school.
