Man charged in Salt Lake as Internet pimp

A 20-year-old man has been charged in 3rd District Court with forcing a woman to prostitute herself on craigslist.org.

According to charges, a police officer setup an undercover operation to meet with a woman named "Maria" who posted an ad on craigslist.org for an "erotic massage."

The woman met with the officer Friday near 161 West 600 South. She began to disrobe and said she would have sex with him for $600. The officer alerted backup, and they took her into custody.

The woman said she was forced her to prostitute herself. She also told police the defendant drove her to "date," charges state.

Police said the defendant told them he met the woman a month earlier and was recruited by another man to be an "assistant pimp." He also said he knew she was working as a prostitute when he drove her to dates. — Jens Dana