Stewartville Man Sentenced in Underage Prostitution Sting Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Stewartville man has been sentenced for a conviction connected to an undercover "sting" investigation by the Rochester Police Department earlier this year.

48-year-old Russell Jay Hodge of was among the seven men arrested in April after he arrived at an arranged meeting spot in Rochester after exchanging online messages with a person he was led to believe was a teenage girl under the age of 18. The person was actually an undercover officer.

READ MORE: 7 Men Charged After Rochester Police Underage Sex Investigation

According to the criminal complaint, Hodge and the other men, responded to online ads that were created by Rochester police and featured a female offering sexual acts or services in exchange for money. The court document indicated the ads were posted on websites known to be used by people seeking to purchase sex.

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Back in August, Hodge entered a guilty plea to a felony prostitution charge involving a person he reasonably believed to be under the age of 18.

He was sentenced Wednesday to 10 days in jail, with credit for two days already served, and five years on probation.

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