The following press release was issued by the Prescott Police Department:

PRESCOTT - On March 14, 2008, it was learned that a resident of the Quad-City area was openly soliciting for sexual acts online. Officers from the Prescott Police Department responded to that open solicitation. An agreement was reached and a meeting place set.

On March 17, 2008, Eric Vernier, Age 47, of Chino Valley, Arizona, arrived at the prearranged meeting location and met with an undercover female Prescott Police Department Sergeant. Vernier identified himself as being the online solicitor and even confirmed he had the money to pay for the sexual act.

He was taken into custody and interviewed.  He was then charged with one count of Prostitution, a class 1 misdemeanor.

Recent legislation mandates that a person convicted of a first violation shall be sentenced to serve not less than 15 consecutive days in jail.