Teen Accused Of Running Web Escort Service

(AP)  A teenager once arrested alongside her mother in a prostitution case has been accused of running an escort service out of her suburban Chicago home using the popular Web site Craigslist.

Kimberly Petersen, 17, was arrested after detectives doing a routine search of the site's classified boards found one that included an offer to "enjoy a beautiful blonde" for $250 an hour and pictures of a smiling woman in lingerie.

An undercover detective who called the number in the ad and arrived at Peterson's home was quoted a $300 rate for a 27-year-old woman to perform a sex act, Hillside Police Chief Joseph Lukaszek said.

Petersen was released on bond late last week after being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor, police said. Heidi Mudge, 27, was charged with prostitution.

A 48-year-old man who came to the house while police were investigating also was arrested.

Petersen's mother, Kimberly Miniea, faced a similar charge last April after police said she told them she ran an escort service to "entertain married men." The charge was dropped.

Petersen, then 16, also was arrested at the time but was not charged. Miniea is now in prison serving a two-year sentence on an unrelated drunken driving conviction.

The Craigslist ad had been removed Sunday and a telephone number at Petersen's house was unlisted.

Commenting on the ad, Craigslist spokeswoman Susan MacTavish Best said in an e-mail Sunday that all illegal activity is banned by the terms of use, nor is it welcome on the site.

"We have received high marks from law enforcement for our quick and full cooperation with their inquiries," MacTavish Best wrote, adding that users flag postings they deem inappropriate.

[grammawhamma]

Klingon69 "As long as someone is demanding it, somebody will supply it."
So legalize it!? There are people out there looking for hit men to murder somebody they don't like...should we legalize that too...just because the demand is there? Hmmmm

[klingon69]

Legalize it, because it was, is and always will be supplyu and demand. As long as someone is demanding it, somebody will supply it. Tax it, make them get med checkups every month...etc, tax it...Works in Nevada.
Even some of the higher-class hotels have prostitutes on staff to cater to the high-rollers.

[clarkssuppor]

It is not a matter of religion, but of having some standards for society and for our children to follow. I am not supportive of the evangelicals. I do support keeping prostitution illegal.

[grammawhamma]

I wonder why the mother's charges were dropped a year ago for running an escort service for married men? Now the daughter is running the family business since mommy dearest was escorted to prison for drunk driving!

[Syndicate]

How funny you can't sell it, but you can give it away. Is it prostitution if you pay her for her time and not the actual services? How do porn stars beat the prostitution rap?

[gbeabs]

PS: the man walking in, the 48-yr old, makes for a great short story. I feel for him and I'm on the otherside! Funny this stuff still goes on, too, you ask me. I wonder who isn't liberated that they need to go around the back steps? Like I said, makes perfect fodder for a good short story.

[gbeabs]

Some day we'll understand how "free" electronic classified advertising engines work. Consider other junk that's advertised to sell on Craig's list or in the classified ad section in your local newspaper. Used furniture, goods, cars; ever buy a used car that ended up costing more in repairs than was advertised? Think you can go back to the newspaper that advertised the car for sale, allowed the advert to "go thru" to meet your free will to buy the car based on what was listed in the ad, and because you bought the car based on the ad, you think you can get anything in return from the newspaper?

How about suing the individual, the ad-placer, instead?

In order to sue someone, you must involve the law. So even for the landlord who lost her wares to a spoof sale, an official claim of theft needs to be made. Craig's list wasn't stolen from. They didn't sell too hot of a cup of coffee that burned anyone's thighs. They don't buy and sell a thing but words like the ones I am typing here.

One more idea: Craig's List does watch its own P's and Q's. Anyone here know what those are?

They act according to the law and then some. They cannot "big sister-brother" persons placing ads because that's illegal. They cannot police us in a democracy that provides us with free things, like not having to pay for a classified ad and letting people all over the world read it.

Think about all of that and, well, behave. Most people know how to do that which makes democracy possible.

[closethippy]

I've got the money, she needs the money... So what's the big deal, you freaking puritans?
Are we in Plymouth, MA circa 1600's or is this the 21st century?
How long are we going to go on pretending that prostitution can be solved with prison sentences?
It's one of the oldest trade in the world and it should be regulated like any other trade. Why agonize about it?
It's like immigration: Give people a freaking visa to come to work when we need them and send them home when we don't.
Why make such a big fuzz about all of this especially when it involves humans and money making opportunities?
Let's regulate it and get over it, fer cryin' out loud!

[nolalou]

Barnes6453,

Read the article, it said the ad was pulled from Craigs List, it dosn't say they took down the entire site!

newster1,
Craigslist said they cooperate with law enforcement, but in this case the woman who owned the house wanted Craigslist to tell her who ran the ad. How would they know she is the owner of the house, without her 1st getting a court order? If they didn't have that policy, anyone could call and get information on anyone else who posted an ad.

[barnes6453]

I just checked this website - Craigslist and it is still up and running.