Six Arrested In Prostitution Sting
Prostitution Operation
Newark – On Thursday March 15, 2018 the Newark Police Street Crimes Unit and Special Operations Unit conducted a reverse prostitution sting utilizing a local hotel. Undercover officers placed a fictitious profile of a female on an internet web page in the escort section to determine if any “johns” would solicit the female for prostitution, according to Newark Police Spokesman, Sgt. Gerald Bryda.
Bryda said during the course of the investigation over 150 different telephone numbers called or texted the phone number placed in the add. The calls and texts were answered by undercover officers. Six male subjects responded to the hotel after allegedly requesting sexual favors in exchange for money or drugs, according to Bryda.
Arrested were the following persons:
Saleh Ahmed (41) of Newark DE – Patronizing a Prostitute
Jeffrey Osborne (47) of Kemblesville PA. – Patronizing a Prostitute, Marijuana Possession
Shrey Upadhyay (25) of W. Deptford NJ – Patronizing a Prostitute
Mario Colon (24) of New Castle DE – Patronizing a Prostitute
Jason Wilson (34) of Newark DE – Patronizing a Prostitute
Robert North (49) of Smyrna, DE – Patronizing a Prostitute
All six were issued summonses to appear in Newark Alderman Court #40 at a later date and released from custody, said Bryda.
Chief of Police Paul Tiernan stated, “Although we understand that prostitution can be seen as a victimless crime, many people are engaged in this activity as a result of human trafficking, and often results in drug activity and violent crimes being committed.”
While conducting this operation, on March 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m., the Newark Police received a 911 call reporting an assault and robbery of a female victim at a local hotel. The female, a 19-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, reported that she was strangled by someone she had just recently met and had undisclosed items stolen. This investigation is ongoing and a link to prostitution is being considered as an element in this crime, according to police, according to Bryda.
Anyone with additional information about this incident should contact Detective Anderson at [email protected] or 302-366-7100 ext. 3469.