Carmel arts dealer arrested in prostitution sting - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A prominent member of Carmel's arts community was arrested as part of a prostitution sting.

Our partners at The Indianapolis Star report that Indianapolis Metro Police officers arrested Evan Lurie last week during a sting operation at an Indianapolis motel.

Lurie owns the Evan Lurie Gallery built with the backing of the City of Carmel in its Arts and Design District.

Lurie is one of dozens arrested in recent weeks in an effort to curtail prostitution.

According to the police report, an undercover officer posing as a prostitute took a call from Lurie and arranged to meet him at hotel on the Indianapolis south side.

Lurie allegedly asked her how much she charged for half an hour, and she told him $100. He also asked her if she had lingerie with her, and to send him a picture of herself wearing it. She sent him the picture and they arranged to meet, with Lurie requesting that she wear lingerie and heels for him.

According to the report, Lurie asked if she smoked, and he offered to bring some "herbage" (marijuana). Once inside the hotel room, the report says Lurie suggested to the undercover officer that they smoke marijuana, but she asked for money first. Once he agreed on a price, other undercover officers entered the room and arrested him for patronizing a prostitute.

Lurie admitted to carrying a "bowl" for smoking marijuana in his pocket, and an officer also found a pipe, believed to be marijuana paraphernalia, in his coat pocket. Lurie faces an additional charge for possession of paraphernalia.