Sex ring in Cherokee community

Cherokee County authorities say five women have been charged with sex crimes at a home being used for illegal massages advertised on the internet. The Cherokee Tribune reports that a six-week investigation by the county sheriff's office began with a tip from Holly Springs police and ended with the arrests Thursday. Four of the women were charged with masturbation for hire and illegal massage. One was charged with keeping a place of prostitution and another with drug possession. The newspaper said services provided at the home in the Hickory Flat Community were advertised on Craigslist.com. Craigslist pledged Thursday to crack down on ads for prostitution on its Web sites in an agreement with attorneys general in 40 states, including Georgia.


(Associated Press)