Three arrested in Aurora prostitution sting

An Aurora couple was charged with pandering Saturday after allegedly arranging prostitution activities involving a runaway teenager, police said.

Police said they arrested Jermel D. Pope, 22, and Mary M. Jefferson, 33, both of the 2000 block of Fox Pointe Drive, and Trisha L. Jobe, 17, of Bagley, Wis., after an undercover sting Friday night.

Authorities say they received an anonymous tip about prostitution activities being offered on the Web site Craig's List and set up a meeting that was to involve three girls at an Oswego hotel.

When undercover investigators arrived, Pope and Jefferson only offered Jobe for the sexual acts, police said. After money had been exchanged, police arrested all three without incident.

Pope and Jefferson were charged with pandering while Jobe was charged as an adult with prostitution.

Several weeks ago Pope and Jefferson allegedly helped Jobe run away from her home in Wisconsin. Police believe the couple offered her and other women for prostitution both inside their apartment and in other locations.

Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said Pope and Jefferson are believed to have been involved in similar activities for at least the past several months and may face additional charges.

The three were expected to be transferred from Aurora to the Kendall County jail Saturday afternoon and are scheduled to be in bond court Sunday morning.

No one else who may have been involved in prostitution acts the couple allegedly arranged has been arrested at this time.

"We're going to focus at least for the immediate future on these three individuals, especially Pope and Jefferson," Ferrelli said.