http://llnw.image.cbslocal.com/30/2010/03/27/175x131/MauriceWard.jpg

A 38-year-old Blaine man has been charged with prostituting two 16-year-old girls and is accused of running a prostitution business out of a house.

Maurice Level Ward, Sr. was charged Saturday with two counts of prostitution of individuals under 18.

Police said they began investigating potential juvenile prostitution in Blaine in January 2010. A 16-year-old girl told police that she and another 16-year-old girl met Ward at his residence on 2288 119th Ln. NE. He allegedly told them about his prostitution business called "House of Geishas Ni."

The girls told police that Ward had them pose for photos in undergarments and perform sex acts on him. Police said they found the girls' picture on the prostitution business' Web site.

Ward allegedly took half of the money collected from sex acts performed on men who came to his residence.

Police said they conducted an undercover operation at Ward's house and were able to execute a search warrant after the conversation turned sexual.

Police said Ward was discovered at the house along with a room of 25 marijuana plants.

He was arrested and is being held at the Anoka County Jail on $400,000 bail.

One of the girls told police she believes she is pregnant with Ward's child.

Police said they do not know how long the alleged operation was up and running or how many girls may have worked for Ward.http://wcco.com/local/blaine.prostitution.business.2.1594546.html