Three women arrested in prostitution sting in South Columbus

A prostitution sting in South Columbus led to three arrests Sunday afternoon, according to today's testimony in Recorder's Court.

Authorities said Erika Yolanda Elias, Shanita Evette Cannon and Shelly Leanne Gilliand were apprehended in connection to the undercover operation around 3:40 p.m. Sunday.

A Columbus police officer with the Special Operations Unit told the court that undercover officers responded to a location in South Columbus to investigate reported "prostitution activity." While in the undisclosed area, authorities arrested three women on prostitution charges.

Authorities said Cannon, 35, of Columbus agreed to have sex with an undercover male officer in exchange for $15 and told the official that it would cost $40 for "anything else." She was charged with an additional charge of giving false information after she allegedly gave police a false name during the arrest.

Police stated that Gilliand, 45, of Columbus offered oral sex to an undercover officer in exchange for $10 worth of marijuana and a hamburger.

Elias, 33, of Phenix City allegedly exposed her chest to an undercover male officer and offered to perform sex for $30. Police said they found a glass smoking device in her purse, so they also charged her with possession of a drug-related object.

In court, Elias admitted to the agreement but stated that she wasn't aware that he was an officer at the time. The other suspects didn't testify.

All three women pleaded not guilty to their charges. Judge Michael Joyner awarded them a $250 bond on each one of their charges.

— Sarah is a crime and safety reporter at The Ledger-Enquirer. You can contact her on Twitter at @SarahR_92.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Three women arrested in prostitution sting in South Columbus ."