Bartlett mother of 6 charged with prostitution

An unemployed mother of six children Saturday was charged with prostitution and possession of cocaine related to an alleged sex-for-hire Web site business she operated from her Bartlett home.

Sherry A. Rutz, 31, of North Elroy Avenue in Barlett, was charged with prostitution and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.

A Bartlett police detective began an investigation into the Web site in September and exchanged several e-mails with a woman going by the user name of Mercedes. He then called Mercedes and arranged to meet at her home on Friday morning, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Haley Peck.

Authorities said the undercover officer knocked on the woman's door and was invited into the home, located near Bartlett Elementary School. That's when the defendant allegedly asked him to "get down to business" and said a half-hour would cost $125 and one hour would be $250.

The undercover officer then handed her $250, according to the report. The officer then brought in other officers, who searched the home and found a bag of white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine, Peck said about the report.

Peck said the Web site shows sexual encounters and money would be used for sexual acts. She said no further details were available.

A $5,000 bond was set for a tearful Rutz, whose children range in ages from 4 months to 16.

Her next court date is at 9 a.m. Nov. 25 in Room 108 at the Cook County Circuit Court in Rolling Meadows.