LANCASTER, Pa. — An undercover operation netted several arrests of men soliciting prostitution in Lancaster. It happened last Friday, September 16th. A female officer, posing as a prostitute, was approached by prospective customers. During the ensuing conversations the undercover police officer and the customer agreed to engage in a sexual act in exchange for a specific amount of money.
Officers say they are addressing complaints of prostitution related activity occurring in residential neighborhoods. The activity adversely affects the quality of life for city residents and negatively impacts businesses within those same neighborhoods. Police say prostitution and its related activity also has a direct link to drug use and sales.
Arrested during the operation were:
James Ranton, Jr., 56, Resident of 1st blk. Urban Dr. (East Hempfield Twp.) PA
Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution
Carmelo Rodriguez, 82, Resident of 100 blk. W. Kendig Rd. Willow Street PA
Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution
Jose Gracia-Ledesma, 32, Resident of 1st blk. Michelle Dr. (Lancaster Twp.) PA
Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution
Luis Martinez, 44, Resident of 200 blk. N. Franklin St. Lancaster City PA
Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution
Martinez is deaf and was turned away by the undercover officer only to return a short time later with a specific reference to what he wanted to pay for.
All suspects were sent a summons to be sent, with the exclusion of Baker who was transported to the Lancaster County Prison for arraignment.
Prostitution and its related crimes are not exclusively a Lancaster city problem but rather a county wide issue. No prostitution is tolerated within any neighborhood whether in the city or county.