Rochester Police Arrest 4 Men in Undercover Swoop to Tackle Criminals Who Solicit Minors – Post Bulletin

ROCHESTER — Four people have been arrested after Rochester police conducted an undercover operation to target online criminals attempting to solicit minors for sex acts.

Christian Aaron Alexander, 37, of Rochester; Rojay Rolando Smith, 23, of Zumbrota; and Joseph Lee Swain, 34, of Rochester, are charged with one felony count of prostitution.

According to the indictment, a sex trafficking operation was being conducted by RPD at a Rochester business. Online advertisements were created in which a woman offered sexual acts or services in exchange for money. RPD activated the advertisements on Sept. 12 and placed them on websites where people often buy sex, the indictment said.

The ads were for “in-call” only, the complaint said, meaning people interested in making a purchase would go to a specific location. Buyers would message a number listed in the ad to arrange the sexual encounter.

Chatting began on Sept. 13, the complaint said. When people sent the ad, investigators identified the person who was messaging the undercover chatter.

Alexander agreed to meet at a business in Rochester, the complaint states. When he arrived, he was arrested. The cellphone he had with him rang when the undercover chatter called. He had $160 in cash and condoms, but Alexander said that when he found out the person he was meeting was under 18, he felt sorry for them and planned to give him the money, the complaint states.

Smith also agreed to meet the undercover chatter at a business in Rochester and sent a photo of where he parked when he arrived, the complaint said. Smith was arrested. He admitted using a talkatone number to send the ad and knew the person he was messaging said he was 18, the complaint said.

When the undercover chatter told Swain they were only 16, he said, “That’s okay,” the complaint said. Swain was arrested when he arrived at the business and told police he thought he had stopped talking to the person when they told him they were underage.

Benjamin Leslie, 40, of Spring Valley, was arrested for soliciting a minor to engage in sexual acts, according to a news release from the RPD. The Pope County Sheriff’s Office assisted the RPD in the investigation that led to Leslie’s arrest.

People who are dealing with sexual exploitation can call the crisis line 24 hours a day at 507-289-0636. There they will speak to someone who can refer them to help.