Prostitution sting no cause for heightened concern, Cedar Rapids police say

Cedar Rapids police say last Friday's undercover operation that led to five men being charged with prostitution did not stem from increased concerns about prostitution in the city.

“Once, twice, three times a year, we do this to get a feel for the community,” said Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, a police spokeswoman.

Investigators arrested the men after they showed up at the Hawthorne Suites, 4444 Czech Lane NE. The criminal complaints for four of the men say they offered between $150 and $300 in exchange for sexual acts from an undercover agent.

Hamblin did not disclose many details on the operation, but she said the Police Department uses various methods to try to stamp out prostitution in Cedar Rapids.

“It's word-of-mouth, Internet and a lot of hotels and motels,” she said. “They want legitimate business.”

She said classified ads in newspapers and other print media are becoming less of a concern as sources for prostitution than in recent years.

Hamblin said a hotel operation is a “big production” that involves finding a site, alerting hotel management and ensuring that surveillance equipment is in place.

“We want to preserve evidence so we can get convictions as well,” she said.

Hamblin said releasing the names and addresses of those who face charges is part of the plan to deter others from engaging in prostitution.

“They made a choice and must suffer the consequences of that choice. It is not our intent to shame anyone,” she said. “It's not acceptable behavior, and we are not going to tolerate it in Cedar Rapids.”

Police say they catch about a half-dozen people in an average prostitution operation.

The men charged are Doug Schoon, 55, of 2222 Jessica Lane, Coralville; William Knudson, 40, of Ely; Theodore King, 58, of 7512 Hampshire Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids; Matthew Klein, 41, of Tiffin; and Alphonsus Brady, 33, of 516 Church St., No. 3, Iowa City.

Prostitution is an aggravated misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

-- Chris Earl, KCRG-TV9