Three people were charged last month in Freeborn County District Court in connection with a sting conducted in August by the Albert Lea Police Department to prevent sex trafficking.

Cass Matthew Remmert, 45, of Waseca; David Roy Bird, 49, of Mason City; and Scott Michael Green, 33, of Clear Lake are each charged with gross misdemeanor soliciting a prostitute. Their first appearances are scheduled for Nov. 16.

Court documents state the three men were arrested in a two-day operation Aug. 29 and 30 in Albert Lea after advertisements were placed in Rochester, Mason City and Mankato on Backpage and Craigslist websites with a fake person who was advertised as traveling from Chicago to Albert Lea.

The men were arrested after responding to the advertisements and traveling to Albert Lea.

More than $380 was reportedly seized from Remmert at the time of his arrest. Bird was arrested after a $250 payment agreement between him and the undercover agent was reached.

Two or three other people were arrested in the sting, and the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office is reviewing possible charges, according to the County Attorney’s Office.

Gross misdemeanor soliciting a prostitute carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.