Maryville, Tenn – from www.thedailytimes.com – “It’s the oldest profession in the world.”

One of four women charged in a prostitution sting explained her profession to the “john” (customer) minutes before her arrest on Thursday night during a joint law enforcement operation.

The woman (who advertised herself as “Nicole”) also let him in on a little secret of the trade: If you ask someone three times if they are a police officer, they must be honest the third time and admit if they are with law enforcement.

Wrong.

The john listened with interest. He denied being an officer three times and even asked the woman three times if she was an officer. She lay comfortably and confidently on a hotel room bed — but not for long.

“POLICE!”

Officers came barreling through the room’s front door and the door to the adjoining room.

Officers set up appointments with four women with ads posted on craigslist.org — a classified ad Web site — for the sting. The bust was held at an Alcoa hotel and was a joint operation between Alcoa Police Department, Blount County Sheriff’s Office and Maryville Police Department. All four women were ultimately arrested, and a Daily Times reporter observed the six-hour operation through a surveillance device.

Not all of the women who showed up were quite as comfortable as “Nicole,” especially the “Italian Sweetheart.” The first girl to arrive was dropped off at the hotel with a man, who walked around the building as she went to the hotel room.

The “Italian Sweetheart” asked more questions and chatted with the undercover officer for about 30 minutes. She would make no mention of any services provided, other than a “massage.” She then became nervous, accused him of being a “cop,” called someone on the phone and left.

A short time later, she called the hotel room. The john told her “they both knew” what services he wanted provided and the “Italian Sweetheart” returned minutes later. After taking a few more minutes to get comfortable and agree on a price that was discussed earlier by phone, she began disrobing.

“Honey” wasn’t quite as hard to bargain with. She entered the room and immediately began stripping down until she was completely nude while the john counted the money. Officers arrested the woman within five minutes of her arrival.

“Shyann” did not waste much time after her arrival, as well. She came in the hotel room, chatted with the john for a few minutes, went to buy a soft drink and returned, ready for action. Before much discussion could be had on services or payment, the woman began making sexual advances toward the john — sending officers quickly through the doors.
Prostitution charges

Officers arrested the women Thursday night and filed prostitution charges on Friday against Joan Marie Scotto, 43, Knoxville; Angela Kay Brattvet, 44, Panorama Drive, Maryville; Ellen Kristine Stansberry, 25, Knoxville; and Tabatha Michelle Crewsonberry, 28, Knoxville.

Crewsonberry was also being charged with driving on a revoked driver’s license. Alcoa Police Sgt. Hank Morris said Crewsonberry was found in possession of narcotics, which were turned over the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force for investigation. Her 1991 Toyota Camry was seized by officers.

Officers also arrested a male occupant of one woman’s vehicle. Cameron M. Scarborough, 22, Strawberry Plains, was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant from Knoxville.

Scotto, Brattvet and Stansberry were each being held on in lieu of a $1,000 bond. Crewsonberry was being held in lieu of bonds totaling $2,000. All four women are required to appear at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 20, in Blount County General Sessions Court.
How it was set up

The operation was set up at an Alcoa hotel and multiple girls were called and e-mailed by officers and deputies. Four appointment were made and all four girls showed up.

Officers reserved three rooms at the hotel. One room was for the john, and the adjoining room was used for surveillance. A room down the hall was used for questioning by detectives. Officers then transported those arrested to the Blount County Jail.

Morris said Alcoa police officers first became aware of the Craigslist prostitution problem when they received a complaint about a prostitute at a local hotel.

“Officers found out that she had been called out there through Craigslist,” Morris said.

Morris said he began talking to clerks at local hotels and they suspected prostitution was going on due to women who were coming to rooms and leaving after short periods of time.

At knoxville.craigslist.org, some women (and sometimes men) list themselves under the adult services section. Although the classified ads do not spell out that they provide sexual services, it is apparent in some of the ads.

Several of the ads show provocative pictures of the women and they offer services such as “massages.” One ad states that she will give “complete and full attention” and there are “no restrictions, no limits.”

On Shyann’s site, she states (in exact words and spelling), “Looking to give you an unforgetable.relaxing,stress reliving safe, massage. Trust and Belive, you won’t be disapointed in the service i provide.”

A few of the women may be guilty of “bait-and-switch” advertising. One of the women’s ads showed a photo of an attractive young blonde girl. Once she arrived, it was more than obvious that the larger, older, dark-haired woman was not the blonde pictured in the ad.