Four women were arrested in Jacksonville on prostitution charges as part of a three-day sting operation involving the online classified listing service Backpage, police said Friday.
The women arrested during Operation Backpage were Lois Chavez, 25; Kayla Edmond, 23; Krystal Gilbert, 31; and Tonya Ballou, 38.
Chavez, Gilbert and Ballou were also arrested on one count each of operating a business without a license.
Police said Chavez and Ballou traveled from out of town to each unknowingly meet with an undercover officer. Edmond and Gilbert were staying at a local hotel when they each met with an undercover officer, according to authorities.
Another woman, 37-year-old Jessica Peters, was cited for operating a business without a license after an undercover officer met with her at her residence. Police said Peters operated an escort business from her residence.
Operation Backpage was conducted by the Jacksonville Police Department.