Police Say Prostitution Sting Was a Success

By GABE WELLS
WHEELING — A prostitution sting that netted more than 20 arrests in recent days was prompted by the complaints of residents and business owners in two city communities, according to Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler.

As part of a multi-day, “directed patrol mission” to combat city nuisances, five Wheeling women and one Martins Ferry woman were arrested last week for prostitution. As part of the same law-enforcement effort, Gessler said 11 men were arrested Saturday and early Sunday for solicitation after some of the city’s female officers posed as prostitutes in city neighborhoods.

Gessler on Monday stressed the need for the operation.

“Number one, we’ve received numerous complaints from the residents of the East Wheeling and Center Wheeling areas and business representatives,” Gessler said. “These individuals are not only a nuisance to the neighborhood, but in most cases, they parallel drug activity. That’s not to mention the sexually transmitted diseases and the things of that nature. We are not going to tolerate it.”

According to information released by the Wheeling Police Department, the directed patrol missions included the enforcement of laws prohibiting open alcohol containers, trespassing, littering, public urination, excessive noise, disorderly conduct, gambling, obstructing traffic, obstructing sidewalks, drugs and juvenile curfew laws.

In addition to the arrests related to alleged prostitution, a Wheeling man was arrested for petit larceny for allegedly breaking into a vending machine. Two other Wheeling men were charged for having open containers of beer in public.

Gessler said such police efforts will continue throughout the city. He described the operation as a “proactive approach” to prevent crime and other associated problems before they occur. Gessler said the operation was a success.

“The officers did a tremendous job,” Gessler said. “We are hopeful the court will take action against those arrested previously.”

Arrested for prostitution were:

? Marci Grubba, 47, of Wheeling — arrested in the 1500 block of Market Street;

? Chassette Arno, 31, of Wheeling — arrested in the 1400 block of Market Street;

? Bobbi Dennis, 24, of Wheeling — arrested in Lane 13 between Wood and Jacob Streets;

? Leona Tanner, 32, of Wheeling — arrested near the intersection of 16th and Eoff streets;

? Beth Ann Davis, 24, of Wheeling — arrested near 33rd and Chapline Streets; and

? Lourena Lynn McWhorter, 24, of Martins Ferry — arrested near Eoff Street and Lane 15.

Arrested for soliciting for prostitution were:

? Larry Allen Starkey, 48, of Martins Ferry — arrested near 1600 Main St.;

? Danny Lee Camerlin, 51, of Triadelphia — arrested near 16th and Main streets;

? Roger W. Lagowski, 45, of Shadyside — arrested near South Street at 16th Street;

? Walter Ohl, 59, of Burgettstown, Pa. — arrested on Main Street;

? Robert Timothy Hogan, 26, of Uniontown, Pa. — arrested on Market Street near 21st Street;

? Robert W. Szatkowski, 62, of Pittsburgh — arrested near 16th and South streets;

? Michael Don Harrigan, 45, of Moundsville — arrested in Downtown Wheeling;

? Joshua Boyd, 22, of Triadelphia — arrested near 21st Street at Main Street;

? Jackie Laughtery, 47, of Powhatan Point — arrested near 14th and Main streets;

? William Robert Herman, 32, of Wheeling — arrested near 16th and South streets; and

? Edward L Gallaher, 35, of Wheeling — arrested near 16th and Main streets.

Nuisance arrests included:

? Albert Whitzell, 43, of Wheeling — arrested when trying of break into vending machines in the 2100 Block of Main Street;

? Darl McHenry, 46, of Wheeling — open beer in public at West Virginia Independence Hall; and

? Gary Bengiman, 48, of Wheeling — open beer in public at West Virginia Independence Hall.