Howard County police said she went by the name “Alexis.”
Brandy M. Britton, 42, a former assistant professor of sociology and anthropology at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was also a prostitute, police said.
She will have her chance to defend herself Thursday in Howard County District Court, where she is scheduled to stand trial on four counts of prostitution.
Each charge Britton faces carries a penalty of up to one year in jail or a $500 fine.
Police said Britton, who also taught women?s studies at UMBC, entertained clients in her Ellicott City home, which sits in a quiet neighborhood near Centennial Lane Elementary School, one of the state?s highest-performing schools.
As of Tuesday, Britton was not listed on court documents as having hired a lawyer, said Wayne Kirwan, spokesman for Howard County State?s Attorney Timothy McCrone.
Britton did not return a phone call requesting comment.
Police began investigating Britton last year after receiving “numerous complaints about Brandy Britton operating a house of prostitution at her home,” according to charging documents.
Police said Britton operated a Web site called Alexisangel.com, which is no longer active, that advertised sexual acts in exchange for money.
According to the Web site, Britton charged a minimum of $300 an hour for modeling and providing companionship, but did not engage in prostitution.
“Money exchanged in legal adult personal services for modeling is simply for my time and companionship,” the site stated.
“Anything else that may occur is a matter of personal choice between consenting adults of legal age and is not contracted for, nor is it requested to be contracted for, in any manner. This is not an offer of prostitution.”
Police used an undercover operation to arrest Britton.
At noon Jan. 17, a police officer made an appointment to meet Britton at her home, according to charging documents.
Britton led the officer to a bedroom, where she instructed the officer to undress and place $400 on the table, police said.
The officer then let in members of the department?s vice and narcotics squad, who arrested Britton, police said.
Police said they searched the house and found “numerous business records” in Britton?s name tying her to the Web site.
Officers also confiscated 150 condoms and nine bottles of lubricating substances from the house, charging documents state.
The Alexisangel.com Web site described Alexis? clients as holding “high-level, visible executive or public-service positions ?”
Howard County police would not release any lists of clients seized from Britton?s home.
