LINCOLN CITY, Ore. -- A prostitution sting on the Oregon Coast turned up two arrests in Lincoln City last weekend.

In addition to a prominent Tualatin businessman, police arrested Carl Gripenburg, a retired man from Albany.

Related: Businessman Arrested In Prostitution Sting

Police said Gripenburg admitted he showed up to have sex with a prostitute and that he planned to pay $150.

"I didn't know it was illegal," Gripenburg said. "Two people want to get together, (I) don't see why it is illegal."

Gripenburg also said he made a mistake and that it was his first time.

The sting began last month after Lincoln City police arrested Rene Laccoarse on charges of prostitution. They said she advertised for meetings on the coast.

With tourists, casinos and the beach nearby, police worried the problem could get worse. They put together a sting operation to gauge the problem and put a stop to it.

Police said prostitutes are often involved in drugs and other crimes that johns don't see.

"Often times, these people are not thinking clearly about what type of danger they're exposing themselves to or exposing their families to," said Lt. Jerry Palmer, with Lincoln City police.

The prostitution sting involved a posting on Craigslist that mentioned "full service" and "total satisfaction," which are code words for prostitution. When the suspects showed up to pay for sex, police used a hidden camera to record the meeting.

Police hope the sting sends a message to johns and prostitutes to stay away from the coast or be prepared to pay.

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