Third man arrested in Rochester prostitution sting pleads guilty, receives probation
Thomas Klees / Olmsted County Adult Detention Center
(ABC 6 News) – A third man arrested in a Rochester prostitution sting pleaded guilty and received a one-year probation sentence.
Thomas Klees, 44, of Rochester, was arrested and accused of engaging in prostitution on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
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Klees was also ordered to pay $1,590 in court fines and fees, as well as enroll in a class on the effects of human trafficking on victims.
According to court documents, undercover officers with Rochester police placed and monitored an ad advertising sexual services for individuals willing to meet a young woman at a location of her choice.
According to court documents, Klees responded to the ad, arranged to pay the undercover officers posing as a sex worker and agreed to obtain protection.
He was arrested with a package of condoms on hand, after entering the location provided by the undercover officers.
Klees’ conviction follows two others: Russell Hodge, 46, of Hayfield and David Thorland, 68, of Thompson, Iowa pleaded guilty to the same charge in January of this year.
Three more men were arrested during the prostitution sting.
- Justin Hitt, 29, of Pine Island will appear for an omnibus hearing March 23.
- Arnaldo Mercado-Perez, 27, of Rochester will appear for an omnibus hearing April 20.
- Darryl Franklin, 54, of Rochester will appear for a contested omnibus hearing May 17.