Rochester Man Convicted in Juvenile Prostitution Sting Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A man arrested by Rochester Police during an online child sex sting investigation last year has entered a guilty plea.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, the sex-trafficking investigation was conducted by Rochester police at a business in September of last year. The court document says online advertisements were created that featured a female offering sexual acts in exchange for money. The ads were placed on websites known to be used by people seeking to purchase sex.

Undercover Officer Posed as Teen During Online Sting

It was alleged that 35-year-old Joseph Lee Swain of Rochester sent a message responding to the ad. The criminal complaint says the Rochester man initiated a sexual conversation with an undercover officer who identified himself as a 16-year-old girl.

The undercover officer then arranged a meeting with Swain at the business used for the investigation, and he was arrested when he arrived at the location. The criminal complaint indicates he had $180 in cash in his possession.

Swain was charged with a felony prostitution charge involving a person he reasonably believed was under the age of 18. He entered a guilty plea to the charge earlier this week and is scheduled to be sentenced in January.

One Co-Defendant Already Sentenced in Related Case

Three other men were charged in connection with the same sting investigation. The cases against two of them are pending, while 39-year-old Christian Alexander of Rochester was recently sentenced to 45 days in jail and five years on probation after he entered a guilty plea to the same felony charge.