MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police Department Street Crime Unit conducted an operation targeting prostitution in the inner city area on Feb. 19. The operation took place in area “hot spots” based on a number of complaints of illegal activity received by police. As a result, four women were arrested and charged with prostitution; one woman and one man were charged with “lewdness.”
During the sting, which took place at about 1 p.m. between the area of Hanover Street to Laurel Street and Union Street to Wilson Street, plain-clothed detective posed as prospective “johns,” During the four incidents, female subjects approached the undercover detectives and agreed to perform a sexual act in exchange for money. All were arrested.
In addition, undercover detectives observed a known prostitute get into the passenger seat of a vehicle on Manchester Street. The detectives followed the vehicle to a parking lot on John Devine Drive. The car parked in an area that had vehicle traffic driving by. The detectives then approached the vehicle and observed the female performing a sexual act on the male driver. Both subjects were arrested and charged with lewdness.
As part of the operation, the six people arrested were provided information/education on health and treatment services, and educational and peer support groups. The Manchester Police Department is also working with the City Solicitors office to have services offered to arrested parties as a part of the court proceedings in hopes of reducing prostitution and related crimes in Manchester.
Arrested and charged with prostitution were:
Kerissa Hall, 26, of Wilson Street, Manchester; Kianna-Leigh Harrison, 19, homeless; Sarah Howard, 30, of Massabesic St., Manchester; Amber Letorneau, 27, of Lowell Street, Manchester.
Caroline Vasquez, 37, of Beech Street, Manchester, was charged with lewdness and violation of bail conditions; Pratik Shah, 33, of Garnet Valley, Pa., was charged with lewdness.
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