An Oklahoma man faces felony and other charges after a drug sting during which he intended to trade drugs for sex, according to a criminal complaint.
Officers from Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit launched an investigation Tuesday into suspected prostitution and illegal drug sales in Scranton, according to the complaint.
Investigators monitored illicit activity on a website geared toward facilitating prostitution and drug activity, which allows users to post advertisements containing explicit descriptions and images related to sexual services they’re willing to provide, along with information about payment methods and meet locations, the complaint states.
As part of the operation, an undercover officer posed as a 30-year-old female prostitute and was contacted by Jeffrey Paul Rodgers, 56, who agreed to meet at an agreed-upon location.
Rodgers provided the undercover officer with photos of himself seated in a single-cabin pickup truck.
He said he would provide crystal methamphetamine in exchange for sex, the complaint states.
Rodgers requested the undercover officer contact him by phone, instead of on the website, and the two transitioned their conversation to text messages.
He arrived at the agreed-upon location on foot and was arrested by city police.
Rodgers admitted he intended to trade methamphetamine for sex, according to the complaint. He told officers he was from Oklahoma but was in the area for work.
Officers searched Rodgers’ bag and found 15 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 36 grams of marijuana, a glass pipe and $128 in cash.
Rodgers told officers he had arrived in his work truck and that there was additional meth in that vehicle but would not provide officers with its location.
After transporting him to Scranton police headquarters, officers located a Chevrolet Silverado registered to someone with the same last name parked two blocks away in the 1000 block of Jackson Street.
Rodgers is charged with possession with intent to deliver, criminal attempt and criminal use of a cellphone.
He remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 15 before District Judge Laura Turlip.