Cops: Teen used Craigslist to run escort service

updated 3:45 p.m. ET April 9, 2007

HILLSIDE, Ill. - A teenager once arrested alongside her mother in a prostitution case has been accused of running an escort service out of her suburban Chicago home using the popular Web site Craigslist.

Kimberly Petersen, 17, was arrested after detectives doing a routine search of the site’s classified boards found one that included an offer to “enjoy a beautiful blonde” for $250 an hour and pictures of a smiling woman in lingerie.

An undercover detective who called the number in the ad and arrived at Peterson’s home was quoted a $300 rate for a 27-year-old woman to perform a sex act, Hillside Police Chief Joseph Lukaszek said.

Petersen was released on bond late last week after being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor, police said. Heidi Mudge, 27, was charged with prostitution.

A 48-year-old man who came to the house while police were investigating also was arrested.

Petersen’s mother, Kimberly Miniea, faced a similar charge last April after police said she told them she ran an escort service to “entertain married men.” The charge was dropped.

Petersen, then 16, also was arrested at the time but was not charged. Miniea is now in prison serving a two-year sentence on an unrelated drunken driving conviction.

The Craigslist ad had been removed Sunday and a telephone number at Petersen’s house was unlisted.

Commenting on the ad, Craigslist spokeswoman Susan MacTavish Best said in an e-mail Sunday that all illegal activity is banned by the terms of use, nor is it welcome on the site.

“We have received high marks from law enforcement for our quick and full cooperation with their inquiries,” MacTavish Best wrote, adding users flag postings they deem inappropriate.

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