Newport News police arrested 23 men and one woman in connection with a national undercover prostitution operation that took place in late January and early February.
The police department conducted the operation two days – Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 – using undercover officers on streets, in hotels and on the Internet as part of the Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office “National Day of Johns Arrests,” Newport News Police Department spokeswoman Holly McPherson said in a news release.
The national effort involved 23 law enforcement agencies in 14 states, and led to prostitution-related charges for about 522 men, according to a release from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
The identity of the 24-year-old woman arrested on a prostitution charge is being withheld due to the ongoing investigation into sex trafficking, McPherson said. Police are also not releasing the names of the hotels where the operation was conducted.
The following men were arrested Jan. 29 and each charged with solicitation of prostitution:
Bertram O’Brian Hardnet, 30, of the block 13300 block of De Wald Circle in Newport News
Antonio Denzel Knox, 23, of the 14500 block of Old Courthouse Way in Newport News
Troy Hayden Latta, 19, of the 400 block of Derry Court in Newport News
also charged with distribution of marijuana
Antoni Lamarr Thomas, 39, of the 900 block of John Rolfe Drive in Smithfield
Daniel Enrique Zeledon-Linares, 21, of the 7600 Crestview Drive in Toano
Unidentified Male, 29, of Newport News (identity withheld because of ongoing investigation)
also charged with concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by felon, possession of a schedule I/II drug, possession of a firearm while in possession of a schedule I/II drug
The following were arrested Jan. 29 and each charged with solicitation of prostitution and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution:
Ponciano Alvizo-Chavez, 47, of the first block of Soak Court in Newport News
Michael Anthony Fauntleroy Jr., 22, of the 13000 block of Smiths Neck Road in Carrollton
David Messick Jr., 54, of the first block of East Hill Court in Hampton
Kevin Jerome Orange, 37, of the 1100 block of Oriana Road in Yorktown
Matthew Thomas Parson, 32, of the 700 block of Bellows Way in Newport News
Leo Lavar Vaughn, 34, of the 400 block of Youngs Mill Lane in Newport News
The following were arrested Feb. 5 and each charged with solicitation of prostitution:
Candido Lopez-Diaz, 54, of the 8900 block of Stratford Street in Norfolk
Mohammad Eftekharjou, 28, of the 700 block of 50th Street in Norfolk
Luis Emicente-Isita, 29, of the 1100 block of Oriana Road in Yorktown
also charged with driving without a license
Shaquille Antoine Keyes, 22, of the 2000 block of Brians Lane in Suffolk
also charged with possession of marijuana
Gary Charles Kidder Jr., 40, of the first block of Crutchfield Drive in Newport News
Christopher Robert Mears, 39, of the 200 block of Rivers Ridge Circle in Newport News
Victor Morales-Perez, 27, of the 2400 block of Woodshire Circle in Chesapeake
Elias Nzebele, 27, of the 400 block of Thorncliff Drive in Newport News
Christopher Mark Sershon, 28, of the 200 block of Mtg House Station Square in Herndon, Va.
also charged with concealed weapon
Unique James Wilkins, 35, of the 100 block of Haverford Court in Hampton
also charged with possession of cocaine, distribution of cocaine and an outstanding warrant for failure to pay child support
