Williamsburg women accused of prostitution near truck stop

Two Williamsburg women are being held in the Whitley County Detention Center after being arrested early Friday morning for alleged prostitution near a local truck stop.

Williamsburg Police Sgt. Mike Taylor charged both Reva Brandenburg, 23, and Ella May Bowman, 47, with prostitution.

Williamsburg Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said that Taylor responded to the Pilot Travel Center about midnight in regards to a complaint about two women in the parking lot.

When Taylor arrived, two females scattered with one hiding behind a truck, police said.

"They had already approached a couple of trucks over there, and basically solicited for the purpose of prostitution," Jackson said. "They asked if a couple of the truck drivers wanted company, and I guess the truck drivers went in and told the Pilot employees."

Jackson said that the two women didn’t admit to prostitution, but that Taylor got statements from a couple of truck drivers, who were approached.

He said that Brandenburg tried to give police a few fake names at first, but that police knew her after dealing with her numerous times in the past.

Both were arrested without incident and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Jackson said he recently heard about a similar incident in Jellico, and that police would be stepping up patrols around the truck stops.

Bowman was also charged with first-degree promoting contraband. Brandenburg was also charged with second-degree promoting contraband, contempt of court and with theft by unlawful taking, according to jail records.