Rochester Man Admits to Prostitution Charge

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man today admitted to a gross misdemeanor charge connected to a crackdown on prostitution activity in Rochester last fall.

44-year-old Thomas Klees was among the five men who were arrested as a result of a sedating investigation conducted by Rochester Police, the Olmsted County Attorney's Office, and the Safe Harbor organization which assists victims of human trafficking. Klees was given a one-year stayed jail sentence and was placed on probation for one year. He was also ordered to pay fines and fees totaling just under $1600.

He and the other men were arrested after bogus ads were posted on various websites known to be used by people seeking to pay for sexual contact. Undercover officers then engage in text message conversations with people who answered the advertisements. The five men charged in the case actually showed up at an undisclosed motel in Rochester allegedly believing they were going to meet up with prostitutes.

Two other men previously pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Following the arrests, Rochester police officials indicated that local law enforcement agencies would periodically conduct similar crackdowns in an effort to discourage prostitution activity in the community.

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