On Monday May 14, 2018, Detectives of the Morgantown Police Department (MPD) working in conjunction with member of the MonMetro Drug Task Force, Harrison County Drug Task Force, and DEA concluded an operation that led to the arrest of three individuals for Prostitution.
As a result of various complaints and information obtained through ongoing investigations, officers have established relationships with local hotels, motels and other commercial establishments in order to monitor and reports suspicious activities. During the most recent collaborative efforts, several individuals that were advertising prostitution related activities were contracted and as a result were arrested during an undercover operation.
Clara, ERNEST, 25 years of age of Tampa, Florida and Morgantown was arrested without incident and charged with Prostitution. ERNEST was arraigned on May 15, 2018 and is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail.
Stephanie CLARK, 34 years of age of Morgantown was arrested without incident and charged with Prostitution. ERNEST was arraigned on May 15, 2018 and is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail.
Erica HERROD, 38 years of age of Monongalia County was arrested without incident and charged with Prostitution. HERROD was arraigned on May 15, 2018 and is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail.
These and other cases are ongoing with a focus on identifying, locating and prosecuting those individuals that subject others to servitude through the sex trades.
The MPD works in conjunction with the West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force, to combat human trafficking. Many victims, which includes minors and domestic violence victims, are subjected to various methods of abuse, servitude through prostitution related crimes and various drug addictions. Many of them are also exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and bloodborne pathogens.
The MPD is committed to its goal of eliminating crime in our city. Citizens are encouraged to become a “Partner in Policing” by reporting suspected criminal activity to the MPD Switchboard at 304-284-7522, or anonymously via the TIPS line at 304-284-7520. If you need immediate police attention or a crime is in progress call 911.