9 Arrested In Howard Co. Prostitution Operation
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—Howard County police say nine men were arrested following a prostitution operation on July 20.
Officers arrested the men for soliciting prostitution at a hotel located in the 9800 block of Washington Boulevard in Laurel.
"As part of the operation, detectives placed fake ads on the website Backpage, which is a site known to detectives to be used for prostitution," police said in a new release. "Men who called the number in the ad spoke with undercover female officers, who provided a meeting location upon the caller's request."
Police say when the men arrived and offered money for sex they were arrested charged with solicitation of prostitution and disorderly conduct:
- Gary Bennett, 65, of Rockville · Roscoe Coles, 36, of Woodbridge, Va.
- Geremias DeSouza, 31, of Laurel
- Curtis Eshelman, 55, of West River
- Alejandro Jiatz, 49, of Burtonsville
- Edgard Martinez Melendez, 41, of Laurel
- Bharat Patel, 59, of Laurel · Edwin Shim, 47, of Laurel
- Michael Weiss, 49, of Gambrills
If you suspect human trafficking, or you suspect some you know is a victim call 911 or 410-313-3200 to speak privately to a detective.
