Four men arrested in sting for underage prostitution in Springfield
Three Massachusetts men arrested after police pursuit in South Windsor
An 'Anti-John' operation is done to deter prostitution and the related drug activity that is associated with it. The undercover prostitution operation was held due to neighborhood complaints and quality of life issues near an area Springfield Hotel.
During the operation on Wednesday, law enforcement officers posed online as a juvenile escort so individuals would offer money or something of value in return for a sexual act(s) inside a designated hotel room.
From 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the following four 'Johns' came to the hotel room and were subsequently placed under arrest for charges in connection with underage prostitution.
44-year-old Joseph Stephens of Holyoke is charged with:
Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
Entice a Child under 16
Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)
21-year-old Dany Mazariegos of Turners Falls is charged with:
Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
Entice a Child under 16
Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)
32-year-old Yaroslav Dzyubenko of Agawam is charged with:
Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
Entice a Child under 16
Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)
31-year-old John Colburn of Agawam is charged with:
Pay for Sexual Conduct with a Child under 18
Entice a Child under 16
Attempt to Commit a Crime (Rape of a Child)
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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