A prostitution sting on April 17 and 18 coordinated by several local law enforcement agencies resulted in criminal charges against seven individuals.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said a fake prostitution advertisement was set up online with a phone number and email to call. Curry said by the end of the operation, the ad yielded 145 emails and 60 text messages.

Seven men arranged to meet and showed up for an “appointment.” Rather than being greeted by a woman, however, they were met by law enforcement and cited for misdemeanor solicitation.

According to a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office press release, the operation was a combined effort by the Kalispell Police Department, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Northwest Drug Task Force, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.

“This operation was the result of all the involved agencies recognizing the increase in sex trafficking in our area and taking a proactive approach in reducing this growing problem,” Curry said in the press release.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.