Posted: Sep 10, 2010 1:41 PM by Irina Cates (KPAX)
Updated: Sep 10, 2010 1:42 PM
One man is facing felony charges for allegedly prostituting teenage girls in Missoula using the free classified ad website Craigslist, and another suspect is on the run.
Court documents state that Missoula County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to a shoplifting call at a Lolo Town Pump back in May and that the suspect, Richard Carpita, ran from the scene, leaving his car and two female friends in the parking lot.
One of the women ended up telling deputies that Carpita was prostituting a 16-year old runaway from Washington. An investigation later revealed Carpita and his friend Anthony Brazington had three other girls between the ages of 16 and 18 working for them.
Prosecutors say the suspects posted ads on Craigslist, and when men responded to the ads, the suspects would set up a meeting. The suspects would then split the money between themselves and the girls who met up with these men.
Investigators say they know of at least five teens who participated in this prostitution ring, but there may be more involved.
Carpita was arrested on a warrant on Thursday while authorities have issued a warrant for Brazington's arrest.
Comments