Woman, 43, denies loitering for prostitution in Columbus

A woman who police believe was loitering for prostitution Monday afternoon in the area of River Road denied the accusation in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Melissa Lynn Lake, 43, pleading not guilty Tuesday morning to loitering for the purpose of prostitution. She was sentenced to 20 days in the Muscogee County Jail.

Columbus police said Lake was at the intersection of River Road and 42nd Street around 1:30 p.m. Thursday flagging down cars, including an unmarked car driven by a Columbus police officer.

She asked the driver if he was an officer, and if he had change, according to police.

The testifying officer said she was arrested and charged based on her actions and criminal history of prostitution, but Lake said she had no intention of making a money-for-sex agreement that day.

“I was asking him for a little bit of change, so I can get something to drink. That’s all,” Lake told Judge Michael Cielinski. “I don’t understand why they profiled me, since I had been locked up for that before. I hadn’t been in trouble for three or four years.”

Cielinski said there is a city ordinance that supports the charge.

“They way the ordinance is written, if you were previously charged, they’re allowed to charge you again,” he said. “Whether I agree with that ordinance or not is a different question.”

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Woman, 43, denies loitering for prostitution in Columbus."