Sheriff’s prostitution sweep nets 17 arrests in Paterson | Paterson Times Paterson Times

Sheriff’s prostitution sweep nets 17 arrests in Paterson

By Jonathan Greene
Published: May 21, 2015

sheriff

A quality-of-life protection sweep in the city resulted in 17 arrests on Wednesday, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.

Undercover detectives posed as customers to approach the alleged prostitutes resulting in arrests. One of the 17 women arrested was found in possession of 42 packets of heroin, authorities said.

Paterson residents Wandaliz Sanchez, 29, was nabbed on Market and East 25th streets; Vanessa Childs, 21, was arrested on Carroll Street and Broadway; Maria Jorge Lopez, 33, nabbed on Carroll Street and Broadway; Katina Hill, 40, arrested on Van Houten Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard; Erika Potenza, 30, was arrested on Broadway and Rosa Parks Boulevard; Maria Rivera, 44, arrested on Van Houten and East 18th streets; Angela Campenter, 31, was arrested on Van Houten and Rosa Parks Boulevard; Reymada White, 28, was nabbed on Carrol Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard; Lynn A. Slocum, 35, was arrested on Van Houten and East 18th streets; Leslie Wilson, 33, was arrested on Ellison and East 18th streets; and Felecia Ross, 46, was nabbed n Fair and Auburn streets.

Ross also allegedly had 42 packets of heroin, authorities said.

Clifton residents Amanda Tintle, 25, was arrested on Broadway and Carroll Street; Linda Ramirez, 39, was nabbed on Market and East 28th streets.

Chantel Hurley, 19, of Moonachie, was nabbed on Broadway and Carroll Street; Teresa Distano, 33, of Blairstown, was arrested on Van Houten and East 18th streets; Emel Y. Westerfield, 22, of Springfield, was nabbed on East 26th and Market streets; Gina Taddio, 34, of Ringwood, was arrested on Van Houten and Carroll streets.

The 17 women have been charged with promoting prostitution and released, the sheriff said.

“Prostitution leads to more serious criminal activity including narcotic distribution and helps to copromise the sense of order in a community,” Berdnik said. The sheriff said several city residents complained about prostitution taking place in those areas before the sweep.

“The large volume of arrest show that prostitution enforcement is an issue that needs to be addressed in a continual basis,” Berdnik said. “I want to commend all the Detectives involved in this operation.”


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