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A Southern Utah University vice president was among eight people arrested in a prostitution sting in Cedar City.
Wesley R. Curtis, 57, the SUU vice president for government relations and regional service, was booked Friday into the Iron County jail on suspicion of a misdemeanor count of sexual solicitation. An online jail log indicates he was released the same day after posting a $623 bond.
Curtis did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
SUU President Michael Benson on Saturday issued a prepared statement.
"Given the charges filed against Wes Curtis, the University is placing him on paid administrative leave, per university policy," Benson's statement said. "This leave is effective immediately and pending the outcome of an investigation into the alleged misconduct.
"We are concerned for Wes and his family and extend our love and support as the investigation continues."
Formal charges have not been filed. The arrests were made Friday at a motel in Cedar City.
The sting was overseen by the narcotics task force from Iron and Garfield counties. The task force's commander, Dave McIntyre, said detectives placed an ad online. Respondents then were given an e-mail address or phone numbers to contact to learn the time and meeting place.
"This is not like a girl in scanty clothes walking down the street making a proposition," McIntyre said. "You have to take some pretty substantial steps to set this up."
At the motel, an undercover woman officer negotiated with the men to trade money for sex before other officers arrived to arrest them, McIntyre said.