A Merrimac, Massachusetts, couple was arrested on Friday for allegedly running a prostitution ring out of their home.
Robert D. Jones, 32 and Marie Sue Shelley, 28, were arrested after a three-month investigation into "quality of life concerns" in their neighborhood.
Shelley was charged with sexual conduct for a fee and keeping a noisy and disorderly house. Jones was charged with deriving support from prostitution, keeping a noisy and disorderly house, carrying a dangerous weapon and being a fugitive from justice. he also had an outstanding warrant out of New Hampshire for possession of heroin, possession of Clonazepam, making false statements to police and violation of probation.
Merrimack Police said their investigation into the house at 24 Nichols St. began in December. Jones and Shelley live in the home, which is owned by a relative of Jones.
Police noticed an increase in traffic and fielded a number of tips regarding the house. They also observed numerous vehicles and lone men coming and going from the house during the investigation, both during the day and at night. Investigators said they also observed Jones waling around the vehicles of these men, checking for unlocked doors, while they were inside with Shelley.
On Friday, police applied for a search warrant for the home. With the assistance of state police, they set up an undercover operation, with an officer replying to an ad believed to have been posted by Shelley on Craigslist.
During a meeting, Shelley allegedly offered to perform a sexual act on an undercover state trooper for $100. Officers then moved in and arrested Shelley and Jones.
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Jones was held on $5,000 cash bail, and Shelley on $2,000 cash bail. Both were expected to be arraigned on Monday in Newburyport District Court.
