Wait... Is there a difference between a prostitute and an escort? The headline makes it sound like she stopped being the former and is currently the latter.
According to the publication, escort sites bill themselves as platforms for escorts to sell time and companionship and are legal in Texas, while prostitution is not.
It's threading a very fine legal loophole. An "escort" is paid for their time, only promising to show up. They have sex with you "because I like you". It's bullshit, you know it's bullshit, they know it's bullshit, and the police know it's bullshit, but it's enough to wiggle out of legal trouble.
Probably, especially if they've been put in an awful situation. Still, I'm sure it's not that common since they rely on word of mouth or online postings these days. There would be drama within the local circle of both clients and escorts.
A lot of escorts run a tight ship. I'm talking webpages with professional photography done, that sort of thing. They also worry about the safety and job security of members within their community. Someone going rogue is just bad for everyone.
^(I just realized I repeated what another person has already said my bad.)
"Prostitution" references a specific crime. They're saying that she's been convicted of that crime by including it in the headline. "Escort" is an occupation.