Man arrested in prostitution sting on Southwest Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago man has been charged with promoting prostitution after he was arrested during an undercover hotel sting on the city's Southwest Side.

Troy Gardener, 24, was arrested Feb. 18 by Cook County Sheriff's Vice Unit during an undercover operation in response to an online classified ad on Backpage.com.

Officers recovered a female victim during the operation. Officers said they learned that Gardener had rented the hotel room for the purpose of prostitution, and also that Gardener was gaining financially from the alleged prostitution being conducted by the woman, whom he had met through Backpage.com.

The woman was offered support services through the Sheriff's Women's Justice Program.

The sheriff's office said Backpage.com's "Escort" pages serve as a prominent hub for prostitution and sex trafficking. The Vice Unit has made more than 750 arrests in connection with Backpage postings since 2009, the sheriff's office said.

Gardener was scheduled to appear in court on Friday.