When sociologists compile the reasons why people turn to prostitution, the usual suspects are drug addiction, poverty and abuse. But as gas prices continue to rise steadily, it looks like a new reason for prostitution may be making its way into the top three…

Last Wednesday, police arrested Angela Eversole for prostitution and “operating without a business license.” According to Eversole’s boyfriend, she is not a professional sex worker; however, when she was caught up in a police raid at a Day’s Inn in Fort Wright, Kentucky, she was performing sexual acts in exchange for financial compensation. Eversole’s customer, Kenneth Nowak, reportedly paid her with a $100 gas card and “various gifts.”

Even authorities seem to realize that Eversole may have had unconventional reasons for drifting into the seedy world of sex for money. As Kenton County District Attorney Ken Easterling noted, “It’s sad when people sell their bodies for gas.” Even sadder is that police let Eversole take full responsibility for the crime without even a thought for her pimp. Is it really that hard to fill out an arrest warrant for OPEC?

Bruce Watson is a freelance writer, Bloggerand a thoroughly stingyHe tried to prostitute himself for Tic-Tacs, but the lady at the supermarket simply doubled the price.