Hayfield Man Sixth Person Charged in Rochester Prostitution Sting

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office has charged a sixth person connected to a prostitution sting that occurred in Rochester last month. 

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46-year-old Russell Hodge of Hayfield was among the six men arrested after answering an advertisement posted by an undercover Rochester police officer to various websites used by people seeking to purchase sexual acts. Court documents say Hodge answered the ad and messaged with the undercover officer to arrange a meeting at a hotel in Rochester. 

Hodge was arrested upon arriving at the hotel where he admitted to going there to purchase sexual services, the criminal complaint says. Upon his arrest, officers found him with $250 and a cell phone. 

The November 8 sting was a joint operation between the Rochester Police Department, Olmsted County Attorney’s Office and Safe Harbor. Rochester Police Captain Casey Moilanen says local law enforcement will periodically conduct the crackdowns to discourage prostitution activity in Rochester. 

Hodge was charged Tuesday with a gross-misdemeanor count of Prostitution - Patron - Hires, offers, or agrees to hire to engage in prostitution w/ 18 or older. The five other men arrested in the sting were charged earlier this month. All six of the men are due for their first court appearances in January.