Craigslist and Polk Deputies forge uneasy alliance in sex sting

BARTOW, Fla. - Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd railed against the internet classified ad site Craigslist last year when his detectives arrested over 30 women for allegedly posting ads soliciting sex. "They are a clearing house for all your prostitution needs," Judd said at the time.

But in this weekend's arrest of 15 men, Polk County deputies and Craigslist were partners of sorts. Polk County detectives placed ads on the classified advertising website as part of their sting operation that netted 15 suspects allegedly seeking sex with minors.

Still, Sheriff Judd isn't satisfied that Craigslist is doing enough to curb sexual transactions on it's massively popular website.

"They agreed that when we brought [specific ad posters] to their attention, they would block them forever more. But quite frankly I'm at a loss as to why this kind of activity has to be on Craigslist or any other list," complained Judd.

Craigslist was founded in San Francisco in 1995 by Craig Newmark as a free site where you could find a job, an apartment and a date.

The site was pressured to drop their 'erotic services' section last year after the murder of a massage artist hired through a Craigslist ad by 23-year-old medical student Phillip Markoff. Markoff was found dead Sunday of an apparent suicide in his jail cell months before his murder trial was set to begin.

Forty states have signed agreements with Craigslist to mutually monitor adult-oriented ads and share information on the people who post them. But Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum twice declined to sign an agreement with Craigslist and declined Monday to say why.

"We can't disclose the terms of why not," said McCollum. "That's a confidential thing in the office. The problem was the way it was structured and worded. We didn't think it was the right thing to do."

See also: Tips to help keep your children safe both online and offline