Two Iowa City Residents Nabbed in Linn County Prostitution Sting That Led to 30-Plus Arrests

Two Iowa City residents were nabbed in a multi-day prostitution sting in Linn County that net more than 30 arrests.

Bradley Rodriguez, 47, and a 31-year-old man, both of Iowa City, face prostitution charges from the sting, The Gazette is reporting.

More than 20 law enforcement agencies participated in the sting, which involved multiple hotels, including at least one in Cedar Rapids. Police arrested 40 people, including 37 for prostitution, in the sting that ended Friday, the Cedar Rapids Gazette is reporting.

Officials are not disclosing the name of the hotels. A , which net 17 arrests earlier this year, tipped law enforcement off to possible prostitution in the Cedar Rapids area.

Officials used websites to place ads and then used undercover male and female officers to carry out the sting, with prices ranging from $180 to $400, The Gazette reported, citing criminal complaints.

“If you want to sell a lawnmower, you go to a certain site,” Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner told The Gazette. “If you want to find a prostitute, you go to the same site.”

Among the arrested, according to The Gazette report, are Jeremy Brimeyer, 33, Joseph Kiecksee, 38, and Mark Ketchum, 54, all of Marion; James A. Girres, 66, and Mark Pelleymounter, 55, both of Cedar Falls; and Steven Baker, Jr., 34, Leisha L. Brzozowski, 21, Joshua Chambers, 29, Kelvin J. Davis, 48, Shaina Fay, 23, Mark Fischer, 63, Melissa L. Hogan, 27, and Stephanie Keister, 31, all of Cedar Rapids.