In brief: Hundreds arrested in prostitution sting

Law enforcement agencies in 17 states arrested nearly 600 people and rescued 68 victims of human trafficking, including 14 juveniles, during a sting in the lead-up to Super Bowl XLIX, police said.

As part of the “National Day of Johns” sex trafficking sting, spearheaded by the Cook County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office, police said they captured hundreds of men and women attempting to hire prostitutes through websites such as Backpage.com and Craigslist. Police also said they rescued dozens of women who said they had been forced into prostitution.

“Sex trafficking continues to destroy countless lives, and this broad national movement should send a strong message to prospective johns that their ‘hobby’ is much more than a ‘victimless’ crime,” Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart said in a statement. “It’s particularly meaningful that this sting culminated on the day of the Super Bowl, which unfortunately has emerged as a prominent haven for sex trafficking.”

Carter could revise Afghanistan plans

WASHINGTON – The president’s nominee to be the next Pentagon chief says he would consider changing the current plans for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year if security conditions worsen.

In written comments to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Ashton Carter responded “yes” when asked if he would consider recommending changes to the current pace and size of the drawdown plan to address security concerns. He also said he is aware of reports that Islamic State militants may try to expand into Afghanistan, and said he will work with coalition partners to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Carter’s comments were included in his answers to a committee questionnaire that was obtained by the Associated Press. They come as Afghan leaders express concerns about the U.S. troop withdrawal and worry that local forces may not be ready to secure the country on their own.

Groundhog bites Wisconsin mayor

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – A mayor in Wisconsin has learned a valuable lesson about his city’s weather-predicting critter: Don’t get too close.

Jimmy, the official groundhog in Sun Prairie, bit the mayor’s ear during a Groundhog Day celebration Monday. The groundhog’s handler was holding the animal next to Mayor Jonathan Freund’s face when it promptly bit down.

Freund flinched, but he went on with his declaration that Jimmy had predicted an early spring.

WISC-TV reported that the Groundhog Day celebration became even more precarious when Jimmy’s handlers, Jerry and Maria Hahn, said the mayor had gotten it wrong and that there would be six more weeks of winter.

The city later issued a statement saying only the mayor can translate Jimmy’s prediction.

Woman pleads guilty to supporting IS

RICHMOND, Va. – A Virginia woman pleaded guilty Monday to lying to federal investigators about supporting the Islamic State militant group.

Heather Elizabeth Coffman, 29, faces up to eight years in prison when she is sentenced May 11. She has been in jail since her arrest in November.

Coffman offered brief answers to questions from Judge John A. Gibney but said nothing else.

An affidavit filed by an FBI agent said Coffman promoted the extremist organization on several Facebook accounts she maintained under various names. Those posts prompted a sting by the agent, who posed as an Islamic State sympathizer.

Revenge porn site operator convicted

SAN DIEGO – A San Diego man charged with running a so-called revenge porn website where people posted nude pictures of their ex-lovers – and then charging the victims to take down the images – was convicted Monday of 27 felony charges.

Kevin Bollaert, 28, was found guilty in San Diego County Superior Court on Monday of identity theft and extortion. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

It was believed to be the first conviction of a revenge porn website operator.