An Elmhurst woman faces charges for running what authorities called an extensive prostitution business out of her home.

Shelly K. Lee, 32, was charged with prostitution and possession of marijuana after Elmhurst police determined she was bringing as many as 10 to 15 men daily to her home at 304 Oaklawn Ave.

Prostitution is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to one year in prison; possession of marijuana, a Class C misdemeanor, carries a penalty of up to 30 days in prison, said Paul Darrah, spokesman for DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett.

Lee, who went free on bond after her arrest, will appear in DuPage County Circuit Court at 8 a.m. Monday, July 9, Darrah said.

Elmhurst police learned of Lee while monitoring Web sites like craigslist.org, where Lee posed as a massage therapist, said Detective Cmdr. Dan Buenz. Finding those operating within town is more effective than stinging prostitutes from outside of Elmhurst, he said.

“We can call them out to (Elmhurst) all day long and just have a field day arresting people, but it doesn’t directly affect our community,” he said. “This one was right in our backyard, the kind we like to target.”

Police arrested Lee at her home the afternoon of June 6. Lee moved to Elmhurst from Bartlett in early May, but grew up in Elmhurst, Buenz said.

One of Lee’s next-door neighbors, who asked to remain anonymous, was surprised to hear of the woman’s arrest.

“It sounds crazy,” the woman said. “We just met her last week. Pretty soon, I’ll be going, ‘Who are my neighbors?’”

In the last two years, the Police Department has stepped up efforts to monitor Web sites and push Internet safety. The department’s community-oriented policing team and investigation division trolls Web sites like craigslist.org regularly.

“If you come to us, there’s good chance you’ll end up meeting a police officer instead of a regular john,” Buenz said.

Anyone with more information about Lee should call Buenz at (630) 530-3074.