Court: Two Columbus woman charged in prostitution sting

Two Columbus women arrested in the area of North Lumpkin Road Monday afternoon on charges involving prostitution appeared in Recorder’s Court the following morning.

The Columbus Police Department’s Special Operations Unit said they were conducting an operation in the area of North Lumpkin Road around 3:55 p.m. Monday when they apprehended Laleria Elease Johnson, 42, and Amanda Sue Powell, 50.

Authorities said an undercover male officer saw Johnson, who has previously faced a prostitution charge, and made contact with the woman. She got into this vehicle and starting talking about performing oral sex on the officer at another location, police said.

When the officer refused to go that a new address, Johnson allegedly asked him to let her leave the vehicle. She was then taken into custody.

Johnson, who allegedly had two smoking glass smoking devices in her purse during her arrest, was charged with loitering with the purpose of prostitution and possession of drug-related objects.

The same officer spotted Powell in the area wearing a pink shirt and blue jean shorts. He stopped to talk her and she entered his vehicle, where she agreed to have oral sex with him for $10, according to police.

While taking her into custody, officials allegedly found a glass smoking device in her left pocket. She was charged with prostitution and possession of drug-related objects.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to her charges before waiving her preliminary hearing, Powell pleaded guilty to her charges. The women were ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail, and their cases were bound over to State Court.

Johnson was sentenced to 60 days of confinement and given a $500 bond, while Powell was awarded bonds totaling $1,000.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Court: Two Columbus woman charged in prostitution sting."