Ankeny police have arrested six Central Iowa residents through an undercover prostitution sting, according to a city press release.
The Ankeny Police Department conducted the sting on Wednesday at a local hotel; the establishment is not named in the press release. The department utilized undercover officers in targeting both alleged prostitutes and their customers.
"We had great cooperation from several hotels willing to partner with us despite that none of these hotels had reported prostitution problems," Police Chief Gary Mikulec said in the release.
Arrested and charged with prostitution were: Thomas W. Watson, 39, Ankeny; Antonio Gonzalez Balderamos, 56, Pleasant Hill; Kimberley Ann Walker, 33, West Des Moines; William Lee Woodruff, 49, Ames; Duane Boswell, 62, Urbandale; Kathleen Sherbondy, 58, Indianola. Prostitution is an aggravated misdemeanor.
Woodruff had an earlier arrest for prostitution in a similar sting in October 2012 and recently pleaded guilty to the earlier charge, police said.
Mikulec said the police department intends to continue prostitution sting operations sporadically throughout the year with the intention of protecting local businesses and keeping a vigilant eye on human trafficking possibilities. Ankeny currently has 12 hotels, according to the press release.
"Our message is clear. Do not set up or engage in illegal activity in the City of Ankeny," Mikulec said.
The Ankeny Police Department conducted the sting on Wednesday at a local hotel; the establishment is not named in the press release. The department utilized undercover officers in targeting both alleged prostitutes and their customers.
"We had great cooperation from several hotels willing to partner with us despite that none of these hotels had reported prostitution problems," Police Chief Gary Mikulec said in the release.
Arrested and charged with prostitution were: Thomas W. Watson, 39, Ankeny; Antonio Gonzalez Balderamos, 56, Pleasant Hill; Kimberley Ann Walker, 33, West Des Moines; William Lee Woodruff, 49, Ames; Duane Boswell, 62, Urbandale; Kathleen Sherbondy, 58, Indianola. Prostitution is an aggravated misdemeanor.
Woodruff had an earlier arrest for prostitution in a similar sting in October 2012 and recently pleaded guilty to the earlier charge, police said.
Mikulec said the police department intends to continue prostitution sting operations sporadically throughout the year with the intention of protecting local businesses and keeping a vigilant eye on human trafficking possibilities. Ankeny currently has 12 hotels, according to the press release.
"Our message is clear. Do not set up or engage in illegal activity in the City of Ankeny," Mikulec said.
No comments:
Post a Comment