LANCASTER, Pa. — On Thursday, May 26, 2016 officers assigned to the Police Bureau’s Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU), assisted by police members working a Street Operations Group (SOG) detail, conducted a prostitution enforcement detail targeting customers of street level prostitutes. An undercover female officer was utilized who posed as a prostitute and conversed with the customers agreeing to a specific sexual act in exchange for a specific amount of money. During the course of the operation twelve arrests were made for prostitution related offenses while one arrest was made for obstructing the administration of law. Five of the potential patrons arrested were foreign nationals living in the United States for employment purposes.
During the arrest for obstruction the suspect, Charde Clawges, approached the undercover officer and became belligerent, yelling that she knew the undercover operative was a police officer. The undercover officer has had prior contacts with Clawges while in the course of her normal patrol duties. The actions of Clawges immediately jeopardized the safety of the undercover officer, and interfered with and impeded the integrity of the ongoing investigation. She was arrested and taken to the city police station for booking. Those arrested during the operation include:
Max Castrosqui, 25-year-old male, resident of the 200 blk. W. King St. Lancaster City. Peruvian National. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Mark Inman, 56-year-old male, resident of the 1500 blk. Wheatland Ave. Lancaster Township. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Mark Eshbach, 60-year-old male, resident 100 blk. Falcon Ct. West Hempfield Township. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Mark Ellerison, 42-year-old male, resident 400 blk. Fremont St. Lancaster City. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Richard Brenton, 54-year-old male, resident 1500 blk. Clayton Rd. Lancaster Township. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
The Penn Manor superintendent Dr. Mike Leichliter has issued the following statement regarding news reports of solicitation charges filed against a Penn Manor High School faculty member:
“The school district is aware of the charges against Mr. Richard Brenton, a Penn Manor High School social studies teacher. Mr. Brenton has not been in the classroom since his arrest on Thursday, May 26, and is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the school district. Mr. Brenton is currently on paid leave until the administration has an opportunity to meet with him.”
Peter Long, 39-year-old male, resident 1600 blk. W. Lynn St. Coal Township PA (Northumberland County). Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Joshua Reeves, 21-year-old male, resident 100 blk. N. Pine St. Lancaster City. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Ceu Thang, 32-year-old male, resident 200 blk. E. Clay St. Lancaster City. Myanmar National. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Mohamed Tageel, 31-year-old male, resident 1st blk. Old Dorwart St. Lancaster City. Sudanese National. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Thomas McDevitt, 32-year-old male, resident 1st blk. Winding Way Lititz PA. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution and Possession of Synthetic Marijuana.
Yudanys Buchillon-Trejo, 29-year-old male, resident 800 blk. Manor St. Lancaster City. Cuban National. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Orosman Rojas-Mayea, 24-year-old male, resident 800 blk. Manor St. Lancaster City. Cuban National. Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution.
Charde Clawges, 26-year-old female, resident 400 blk. John St. Lancaster City. Charged with Obstructing Administration of Law or Other Governmental Function.
All suspects were booked, processed at the police station and released on summons. All charges were brought before DJ Witkonis.
The police bureau routinely receives complaints about street level prostitution within neighborhoods that have historically been known for that type of activity. The Selective Enforcement Unit is committed to abating street level prostitution knowing it adversely effects the city neighborhoods where it is actively practiced. The spreading of venereal diseases is a constant hazard and the money made by the street level prostitutes is often used to feed an ongoing drug habit. Often times the trade is practiced in neighborhoods where children are present and are subjected to the actions of the prostitute and her customers alike.
