The Harlan City Police Department arrested two women for prostitution during the July 4th holiday period.

According to Chief Danny Caudill, the agency made two prostitution arrests within hours of one another earlier in the week.

Joy Bowlin, 26, of Harlan, was arrested and charged with prostitution. Caudill said she agreed to have sex with an undercover officer for drugs around 9 p.m. on Monday night. The violation occurred on Cumberland Avenue in Harlan, and Sgt. Winston Yeary was the arresting officer.

Caudill said the second of the two arrests was made around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Tina Britt Smith, 34, of Baxter, was arrested and charged with prostitution when she agreed to have sex with a cooperating witness in exchange for money. The violation occurred on Cumberland Avenue in Harlan and Harlan City Police officer Marvin Lipfird made the arrest.

Both women were arrested and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center where their bond was set at 10 percent of $1,000.

“I am proud of the efforts of this agency in the investigation of this continuing problem in our community,” Caudill said. “These types of investigations require careful planning and can tie up several man-hours.”

Caudill said the Harlan City Police Department has arrested 12 individuals for more than 25 prostitution or prostitution-related offenses since May 2001. Of the 25 charges, 23 have been processed through the courts; 21 of the offenders were convicted as charged, one was dismissed and one was amended.

Of these charges, 14 were charged with prostitution and 11 were charged with loitering for prostitution purposes.

Caudill said the agency's prostitution-related arrests this decade broken down by year include: 2000 - 0, 2001 - 3, 2002 - 5, 2003 - 4, 2004 - 1, 2005 - 10, and 2006 - 2.

Prostitution is a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $250 fine.

Both Smith and Bowlin have posted their bonds and have been released from the Harlan County Detention Center.