Police Arrest 22 in Prostitution Sting

Police in Providence, Rhode Island, say they arrested 22 men who responded to online ads for prostitution during an undercover sting last month.

Mayor Jorge Elorza and city police officials announced the arrests Friday, saying they want the public to know that police are monitoring online ads offering sex for money and prostitution in the city won't be tolerated.

The sting was called "Operation Backpage" and involved detectives placing ads on Backpage.com. The detectives posed as women soliciting for sex and arrested the men when they showed up at four hotels on three days last month.

All the men were charged with procurement of sexual conduct for a fee. Some have been arraigned in Providence District Court, while others await arraignment.

The men range in age from 21 to 65.