16 people arrested in N.O. East prostitution sting
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NEW ORLEANS - Seventh and Eighth District officers and members of NOPD's Vice Unit arrested 11 women and five men after a six-week undercover operation to identify prostitutes and their customers on Chef Menteur Highway.
The investigation was launched in October after police received multiple complaints from residents and business owners who noticed an uptick in what they suspected was prostitution along Chef from Downman Road to Read Boulevard, according to a city news release. Seventh District detectives also recognized the need for the undercover operation after noticing an increase in crimes associated with prostitution, such as drug sales, armed robberies and shootings.
The first five weeks targeted prostitutes actively soliciting customers. In the sixth week, officers did a reversal operation in which female officers posed as prostitutes.
"This was outstanding work by the officers in the Seventh District, Eightth District and Vice Unit," said Police Chief Ronal Serpas. " A lot of people don't recognize how many dangerous crimes go hand-in-hand with prostitution. Many johns go back to motel rooms only to have guns pulled on them and their wallets taken from them. Others have been beaten up, or even shot."
Arrested for prostitution are: 40-year-old Irene Brooker, 23-year-old Mary Rayford, 27-year-old Lashay Wolf, 31-year-old Tresscel Thomas, 19-year-old Dominique Carney (arrested twice within three weeks), 21-year-old Ann Wymola, 23-year-old Jennifer Hernandez, 24-year-old Krishaune Hines, 20-year-old Kristina Rogers, 22-year-old Jasmine Heidlberg and 23-year-old Ebonie Underwood
Serpas said the undercover operations would continue.
Seventh and Eighth District Police officers, as well as members of NOPD's VICE Unit, arrested 11 women and 5 men after conducting a 6-week long undercover operation to identify prostitutes and their customers on Chef Menteur Highway.
The investigation was launched in October after police received multiple complaints from residents and business owners who noticed an uptick in what they suspected was prostitution all along Chef, from Downman Road to Read Boulevard. Seventh District detectives also recognized the need for the undercover operation after noticing a recent increase in crimes associated with prostitution, like illegal drug sales, armed robberies and shootings.
The first five weeks targeted actual prostitutes actively soliciting customers or "johns". In the sixth week, officers did a "reversal operation", in which female cops posed as prostitutes. In all, 11 women were arrested for prostitution, as well as five men for solicitation of prostitution. The investigation also netted two additional arrests on unrelated charges.
"This was outstanding work by the officers in the 7th District, 8th District and Vice Unit. A lot of people don't recognize how many dangerous crimes go hand-in-hand with prostitution. Many Johns go back to motel rooms only to have guns pulled on them and their wallets taken from them. Others have been beaten up, or even shot", said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.
"Our officers will continue to go undercover and conduct investigations like this to haul suspects in, and make the streets safer for the people of New Orleans", Serpas said.
Those arrested for Prostitution:
40-year-old Irene Brooker
23-year-old Mary Rayford
27-year-old Lashay Wolf
31-year-old Tresscel Thomas
19-year-old Dominique Carney (arrested twice within 3 weeks)
21-year-old Ann Wymola
23-year-old Jennifer Hernandez
24-year-old Krishaune Hines
20-year-old Kristina Rogers
22-year-old Jasmine Heidlberg
23-year-old Ebonie Underwood
"Johns" Arrested in Reverse Operation
- 41-year-old Brian Oddo, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
- 37-year-old Victor Lopez, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
- 32-year-old Hernan Lopez, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
- 27-year-old Keith Brown, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
- 31-year-old Mauricio Rodriguez, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
Seventh and Eighth District Police officers, as well as members of NOPD's VICE Unit, arrested 11 women and 5 men after conducting a 6-week long undercover operation to identify prostitutes and their customers on Chef Menteur Highway.
The investigation was launched in October after police received multiple complaints from residents and business owners who noticed an uptick in what they suspected was prostitution all along Chef, from Downman Road to Read Boulevard. Seventh District detectives also recognized the need for the undercover operation after noticing a recent increase in crimes associated with prostitution, like illegal drug sales, armed robberies and shootings.
The first five weeks targeted actual prostitutes actively soliciting customers or "johns". In the sixth week, officers did a "reversal operation", in which female cops posed as prostitutes. In all, 11 women were arrested for prostitution, as well as five men for solicitation of prostitution. The investigation also netted two additional arrests on unrelated charges.
"This was outstanding work by the officers in the 7th District, 8th District and Vice Unit. A lot of people don't recognize how many dangerous crimes go hand-in-hand with prostitution. Many Johns go back to motel rooms only to have guns pulled on them and their wallets taken from them. Others have been beaten up, or even shot", said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.
"Our officers will continue to go undercover and conduct investigations like this to haul suspects in, and make the streets safer for the people of New Orleans", Serpas said.
Those arrested for Prostitution:
40-year-old Irene Brooker
23-year-old Mary Rayford
27-year-old Lashay Wolf
31-year-old Tresscel Thomas
19-year-old Dominique Carney (arrested twice within 3 weeks)
21-year-old Ann Wymola
23-year-old Jennifer Hernandez
24-year-old Krishaune Hines
20-year-old Kristina Rogers
22-year-old Jasmine Heidlberg
23-year-old Ebonie Underwood
Johns Arrested in Reverse Operation for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
41-year-old Brian Oddo, 37-year-old Victor Lopez, 32-year-old Hernan Lopez, 27-year-old Keith Brown, 31-year-old Mauricio Rodriguez,
Seventh and Eighth District Police officers, as well as members of NOPD's VICE Unit, arrested 11 women and 5 men after conducting a 6-week long undercover operation to identify prostitutes and their customers on Chef Menteur Highway.
The investigation was launched in October after police received multiple complaints from residents and business owners who noticed an uptick in what they suspected was prostitution all along Chef, from Downman Road to Read Boulevard. Seventh District detectives also recognized the need for the undercover operation after noticing a recent increase in crimes associated with prostitution, like illegal drug sales, armed robberies and shootings.
The first five weeks targeted actual prostitutes actively soliciting customers or "johns". In the sixth week, officers did a "reversal operation", in which female cops posed as prostitutes. In all, 11 women were arrested for prostitution, as well as five men for solicitation of prostitution. The investigation also netted two additional arrests on unrelated charges.
"This was outstanding work by the officers in the 7th District, 8th District and Vice Unit. A lot of people don't recognize how many dangerous crimes go hand-in-hand with prostitution. Many Johns go back to motel rooms only to have guns pulled on them and their wallets taken from them. Others have been beaten up, or even shot", said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.
"Our officers will continue to go undercover and conduct investigations like this to haul suspects in, and make the streets safer for the people of New Orleans", Serpas said.
Those arrested for Prostitution:
40-year-old Irene Brooker
23-year-old Mary Rayford
27-year-old Lashay Wolf
31-year-old Tresscel Thomas
19-year-old Dominique Carney (arrested twice within 3 weeks)
21-year-old Ann Wymola
23-year-old Jennifer Hernandez
24-year-old Krishaune Hines
20-year-old Kristina Rogers
22-year-old Jasmine Heidlberg
23-year-old Ebonie Underwood
"Johns" Arrested in Reverse Operation
• 41-year-old Brian Oddo, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
• 37-year-old Victor Lopez, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
• 32-year-old Hernan Lopez, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
• 27-year-old Keith Brown, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
• 31-year-old Mauricio Rodriguez, arrested for solicitation of prostitution for sexual intercourse in exchange for monetary compensation.
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