STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- Using decoys and tape recorders, the Steubenville police narcotics division and the Jefferson County sheriff’s department arrested 15 people in connection with prostitution crimes Wednesday night.

Steubenville Police Chief Bill McCafferty said police made the arrests on the city's North and South streets after money was offered in exchange for prostitution.

“Prostitution brings in the drug trade. A lot of those prostitutes are drug addicts, so it’s a vicious cycle,” McCafferty said.

Those arrested were:

Liette Artman -- Wintersville
Paul Bonecutter -- Bloomingdale
Wesley Briggs -- Avella, Pa
Robert Gildow -- Bridgeport
Angela Massey -- Steubenville
Martin Moody - Chester
Donnie Morris -- Mingo Junction
Donald Myers -- Steubenville
Frank Sciabica -- Strabane, Pa
Tracy Summers -- Steubenville
Andrew Taravella -- Steubenville
Tera Tweedyle -- Steubenville
David Vogel -- Steubenville
Rhonda Wick -- Steubenville
David Workman -- Irondale

The suspects were not jailed due to overcrowding issues at the Jefferson County Jail. Most of those arrested appeared in municipal court Thursday. Two men pleaded no contest and were fined $450.

The others pleaded not guilty and were appointed an attorney or said they would hire their own. A judge set trial dates for those who pleaded not guilty for Sept. 10 and Sept. 16.

The prostitution charges carry a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

One of the suspects arrested, David Vogel, told NEWS9 that the only reason he was in the area of the prostitution sting is because he’s part of a ministry and tries to help the women on the streets who are involved with prostitution.

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