2 charged in prostitution sting in Camden County
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two people were charged in a prostitution sting in Camden County over the weekend.
Justin Merz, 49, of Wenztville, was charged with drug possession and third-degree promoting prostitution. He is being held on a $25,000 bond at the Camden County Jail and a court date has not been scheduled.
Christine Clay, 46, of Camdenton, was charged drug possession and misdemeanor prostitution. She is being held at the Camden County Jail on a $3,000 bond
The probable cause statements say on Saturday morning, a police officer assigned to the Lake Area Human Trafficking Task Force went on a website used to promote prostitution and found an advertisement for Clay.
Officers went undercover and Clay agreed to meet and receive $200 for sex, the statement says. Clay knocked on the door of a room – with a redacted location – and was immediately arrested, the statement says.
Merz allegedly drove Clay to the spot and takes 50% of the money she gets from prostitution, the statement says. Merz allegedly denied knowing of the acts committed after he drove Clay, court documents say.
Clay was allegedly found with methamphetamine, while Merz was allegedly found with a pipe that had residue on it, court documents say.