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5 arrested in Bluffs prostitution sting

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January 31st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An official with the Council Bluffs Police Department says five people were arrested Wednesday following a prostitution sting set up at an area hotel. Sgt. Bob Christensen told the Daily NonPareil agents with the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force and other agencies arrested 18-year Aleigha C. Horn, of Waterloo, 23-year old Chrystal L. Cocklin, 24-year old Shanta R. Wood,  55-year old Samuel D. Weiss, and 29-year old Raynette L. Heidt, all of Omaha, on suspicion of prostitution.The arrests occurred from just before 3-p.m. until about 10:30-p.m., Wednesday.

Christensen said the task force arranges meetings with customers and prostitutes on a number of various websites. It conducts the stings around four to six times per year, sometimes more when big events are held in the area.

The arrested all face an aggravated misdemeanor charge of prostitution. Of the women, Heidt and Cocklin have prior arrests for prostitution, according to the Omaha Police Department.