ASCENSION PARISH - 13 people were arrested on prostitution charges Thursday night as sheriff’s deputies carried out a Backpage.com sting operation.

APSO narcotics detectives, Gonzales Police and EBRSO deputies began the undercover operation by contacting several potential prostitutes and arranging meetings with them.

Frequently, the services of prostitutes are offered on the website under the guise of escort services. Undercover agents met with the suspects, resulting in eight arrests by APSO deputies and five by Gonzales Police in the sting.

“It was a pleasure to provide a united front with our sheriff’s office, along with other agencies to conduct an effective and much needed operation. We will continue to fight and battle these type of crimes,” said Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson.

The arrested individuals are as follows:

24-year-old Erica Bell, of Gonzales, was charged with prostitution.

25-year-old Alexa Stonkus, of Prairieville, was charged with prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia.

63-year-old Jon Garver, of Gonzales, was charged with solicitation of prostitution, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal carrying of weapons.

37-year-old Stephanie Burregi, of Baton Rouge, was charged with prostitution.

29-year-old Kelly Pardue, of Gonzales, was charged with prostitution.

51-year-old Terome Johnson, of Mississippi, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.

19-year-old Myiesha Muse, of Baton Rouge, was charged with prostitution.

33-year-old Denedra Norris, of Baton Rouge, was charged with prostitution.

35-year-old Dione Paul, of Baton Rouge, was charged with pandering.

28-year-old Tremaine Harris, of Baton Rouge, was charged with prostitution.

26-year-old Jalisha Lee, of Baton Rouge, was charged with prostitution.

36-year-old Quentin Jones, of Plaquemine, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.

The above were booked into the parish jail.