Staff Report

ROCKFORD – The Rockford Police Department, on Friday, announced that nine people were arrested in an undercover prostitution sting.

The sting occurred Thursday in the city of Rockford. 

“The operation is part of the department’s ‘end demand’ approach to combating street-level
commercial sex trade,” Rockford Police Public Information Officer Christie Castillo said in a release.

One person was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

The following were arrested: Ulysses Alexander, 37, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act; Heather Becknell, 48, of Rockford, probation violation;  Jerome Drain, 33, of Palatine, Illinois, solicitation of a sexual act; Andre Lee, 37, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act; Al Maher, 34, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act; Abel Mauricio-Martinez, 31, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act; Amber Morgan 23, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act; Jarvis Simpson, 24, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act; and Brandon Tisby, 21, of Rockford, solicitation of a sexual act.

Five vehicle were impounded, Castillo said.

Solicitation of sexual act is Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in the county jail and fines of up to $2,500.