SPENCER MAN ARRESTED AS CHARLESTON 'JOHN'

(10/07/2017)
Charleston police said they continue to battle prostitution, and a sting on Thursday led to two more arrests.

Wendell Caldwell, 49, of Missouri and Joseph Sommerville, 39, of Spencer were arrested on a charge of enticing for prostitution, according to a news release from the police department.

The sting by the special enforcement division was designed to locate and arrest the "johns" who are trying to pick up prostitutes, police said.

Charleston Police Chief Steve Cooper directed the officers to concentrate on prostitution complaints along the area of Washington Street West and Beatrice Street, leading to the two arrests.

Over the past several months, police have been cracking down on prostitution in the city, making multiple arrests. Eight women were arrested in a sting in August. Nine men were arrested in a sting in September. Other stings have netted more arrests.