In Colorado Springs, that means the sex trade has moved from the streets to the Internet, according to a detective credited recently with putting a dent in the lucrative illegal escort business.

The beat he patrols is Web sites where escorts with names like “Kitten” and “Sensuous Sasha” brazenly advertise, posting provocative photos, phone numbers and links to their own sites.

“Full service” is an industry term for willing to have intercourse, the detective said, and many escorts who engage in prostitution try the “consenting adults” argument.

He was recognized by City Council last month for going undercover and arresting 15 alleged escorts and another who allegedly was acting as a madam for about 10 others.

Of the 75 escorts now working around Colorado Springs, the detective said, most are independent, buying their own advertisements and setting their own appointments.

Although it is not illegal for an escort to take money to go on dates or dance in the nude, any escort working in Colorado Springs must have a business license.

These licenses cost $750 for individuals or escort companies. No licensed escort services are in Colorado Springs, according to city officials, though one business is applying.

Even with a license, it is illegal for an escort to engage in sexual activity. As with most other illegal activities, the money is too good for the law to be much of a deterrent, the detective said.

A recent prostitution sting was unusual in only one respect, the detective said. He called an escort he found on the Internet, and she invited him back to her apartment, he said.

The detective arrested her on suspicion of prostitution and working as an unlicensed escort. A drug possession charge was added after investigators found nearly $6,000 worth of methamphetamine in crystallized, “ice” form in her home.

Drug use and distribution commonly go hand in hand with escort services, said Sgt. Jim Rodgers, who supervises three detectives assigned to keep tabs on escort services, massage parlors and prostitution.

We want this to be a place where people discuss and debate stories and ideas that foster stronger communities. We built this for you. Please take care of it. Tolerate broad thinking, but take action against obscene or hateful material. Make it a credible and safe place worth preserving and sharing.

This is cache, read story here