COPS VS. JOHNS

Cops set honeypot trap for local johns

A prostitution sting conducted by Clarkstown law enforcement and the Rockland County District’s Attorney’s Office earlier this month netted six suspects, police reported.

The joint operation focused, police said, on local hotels and motels where authorities have detected an increase in the illegal activity. Investigators posted an “ad” on the Internet and, within four hours on Friday, April 1 were contacted by more than 140 alleged “johns,” police said.

Police said those arrested, and their charges, were:

•  Jared McHugh, 35, of Pearl River, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony; third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; and third-degree patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor.
•  Jonny Merroquem, 31, of Nyack, was charged with third-degree patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor.
•  Jarrett Hilton, 23, of West Nyack, was charged with third-degree patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana.
•  Kenneth Watford, 48, of Nyack, was charged with third-degree patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor.
•  Jeffrey Adler, 58, of Hillsdale, N.J., was charged with third-degree with patronizing a prostitute, a misdemeanor.
•  Louis Rodrigo-Lala, 32, of Spring Valley, was charged with third-degree patronizing a prostitute, misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

“Sex trafficking continues to destroy countless lives,” said District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe. The arrests, he said, “should send a strong message to prospective johns that their hobby is not a victim-less crime, but rather a terrifying and despicable offense against some of our most vulnerable populations.”