5 prostitutes arrested in motel sting (PHOTO)

FORT WALTON BEACH – Five women who had placed ads selling sex services were arrested at a local motel Friday night in an undercover police operation.

Sherrie Lynn Knowles, 47, of the 300 block of Bluefish Drive, was charged with felony prostitution for having at least two prior offenses, according to a Fort Walton Beach Police press release. A 39-year-old Fort Walton Beach woman, a 33-year-old Milton woman, a 39-year-old Jacksonville woman and a 39-year-old Fort Lauderdale woman were charged with misdemeanor prostitution.

Police Sgt. Tom Matz said one of the women ran an advertisement in the Daily News, two used Craigslist and the other two used other websites. All five were arrested between 6 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday.

Agents called the women up based on their ads and arranged to meet at the motel, Matz said. Once an agreement was made to exchange sex for money, the women were arrested. Offenses were caught on video tape.

The ads made clear how much the sex services cost, Matz said. Almost all had a picture of someone other than the prostitute.

The women told officers that business in the area has been down recently, Matz said. He said police also run operations targeting those looking to pay for sex.

“We try and combat both sides,” Matz said.