An undercover law enforcement operation in Hall County resulted in the arrests of 13 people this week on prostitution related charges, authorities said Friday.
Agents with the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad and the Department of Community Supervision conducted the operation, according to Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Nicole Bailes.
"Much like our child sex crimes, our agents utilized a classified advertising site last (Thursday) night and were able to make contact with these 13 individuals through that website and were able to get them to meet at pre-determined locations," Bailes said.
Agents encountered both men and women that were seeking sexual services in exchange for currency and or narcotics. Bailes said law enforcement were operating in the Oakwood area.
Authorities conducted the operation Thursday night. The charges include drug possession, pandering and prostitution.
"Obviously, prostitution is something that's going to take place in the majority of your cities, and we just take advantage of these classified advertising sites to get these folks in," Bailes said.
At least one of the suspects, Rhonda Haugland, 57, was arrested in a previous prostitution investigation. That arrest stemmed from a case in Flowery Branch in the fall of 2014.
Names and charges of those arrested as a result of the operation
Unless otherwise noted, all of the suspects reside in Hall County, according to the sheriff's office.
Eduardo Espinoza, 21, of Buford - possession of amphetamine, possession of marijuana and pandering
John H. Roberts, 20, of Cleveland - pandering
Daniel Muir, 21 - pandering
Jeffery R. McBurney, 54 - pandering
Ricardo Rivas, 23 - possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute, possession of hydrocodone and pandering
Jesus Romero, 44 - pandering
Taylor Jordan Welch, 24 - pandering
Bethany Hood, 25 - prostitution
Taylor Odenthal, 19 - prostitution
Mariah Marie Simpson, 18 - prostitution
Brittany Grizzle, 22 - prostitution
Rhonda Haugland, 57 - prostitution
Mariah Wilson, 24 - prostitution and possession of hydrocodone
Source: Hall County Sheriff's Office
