BILLINGS — A Wyoming man accused of soliciting sex in a Billings motel room has now admitted to a prostitution crime, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
Mark Albrecht is charged with prostitution near military and navy establishments, a misdemeanor. He faces a maximum of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release.
On April 21, 2021, law enforcement responded to a call concerning possible commercial sex activity at the Quality Inn in Billings. Officers knocked on the door of the suspect room and announced themselves. Co-defendant Ashley Stella, another female, a minor, and Mark Albrecht emerged. Albrecht was witnessed buttoning up his shirt as he exited the room.
Stella acknowledged that Albrecht was in the room for the purpose of commercial sex. Electronic communications recovered by law enforcement reflected discussions between Albrecht and Stella from earlier that day involving a possible commercial sex meeting.
Sentencing for Albrecht is set for May 4. The court continued Albrecht’s release pending further proceedings. If accepted by the court at sentencing, a plea agreement reached by the parties recommends that Albrecht serve a sentence of no less than six months imprisonment.
Ashley Stella, of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced to eight years in prison for conviction of transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution.
