Six Nabbed in Center Wheeling Prostitution Sting
By IAN HICKS Staff WriterArticle Photos
WHEELING - For the second time in the past 15 days, Wheeling police conducted a prostitution sting which nabbed several thrill-seeking men on the streets of Wheeling.
Among the six men arrested for soliciting for prostitution in Thursday night's sting in Center Wheeling are:
- John P. Larch, 51, of Weirton
- Peter David Byers, 34, of Jacobsburg
- Robert Flint Driscoll, 58, of Connellsville, Pa.
- William Martin Lample, 57, of Powhatan Point
- Thomas Ewing Phillips, 58, of Chillicothe, Ohio
- John Stephen Price, 55, of Wheeling.
According to Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler, all of the arrests occurred near the intersections of 20th and 21st streets and Main Street. The six men were transported to the Northern Regional Jail in Moundsville, pending arraignment.
The sting is part of a series of directed patrol operations aimed at curbing nuisances in the city.
Gessler said today that in addition to the sting which netted seven men for soliciting on May 28, those operations ramped up recently as summer approaches have resulted in 24 arrests and citations since May 31, including Thursday's prostitution sting.
Those operations, Gessler said, focus on several quality of life violations and nuisances, not just prostitution. Examples of such nuisances include disorderly conduct, public consumption of alcohol, loud music and public urination.
According to Gessler, he's pleased with the results garnered by directed patrol operations in recent weeks.
"This is all up and above the normal resources that are always there," he said of funding for the directed patrols. "This allows us to focus on some of the complaints we receive from the community."
Directed patrol efforts since May 31 have focused on various areas of the city, including ballfields and city playgrounds where people routinely consume alcohol and create disturbances. Emphasis also has been placed on finding and arresting individuals who are wanted on outstanding warrants.
Gessler noted that three of nine recent operations have focused on prostitution. While those efforts have been successful in getting potential customers to approach undercover officers for sex, the prostitutes themselves are making themselves less visible.
"They're being very cautious and very afraid to approach our officers," said Gessler.
He said that could be a sign that the directed patrols, as well as the associated media coverage, are having the intended effect.
"I think it's really acting as a deterrent, which is what we want," Gessler commented.
Gessler said directed patrol activities will continue throughout the city, and officers from all units and divisions will be utilized in both plainclothes and uniform attire. Another objective is to focus on education and enforcement associated with the use of drugs and alcohol as part of the department's prevention efforts.
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Sanitzer
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06-15-09 10:59 AM
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TruthSeeker11: I can't say if the Watch Puppy said anything about this today, but I know Bloomer hit on this and even poked fun. The Watch Puppy, was probably to busy not talking about DUI's and battery or promoting catholic and private schools. Why no one listens to them much more. "We Are Who We Thought We Were"
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TruthSeeker11
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06-14-09 11:48 AM
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That "watch puppy" guy. When GK was in the mix we could count on a media professional with honesty, accountability and love for his community. With SN we have a guy that has been let go from all of his other jobs. Radio is the only place left. Why doesn't he do Pirate games anymore? Ask respectable media, they don't and won't let him work for them because he is not respected in the field. Is it true that somebody down at that station smokes pot up on the roof?
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TruthSeeker11
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06-14-09 11:40 AM
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This postng stuff is not a bad thing, but it is sad that for such a professional media operation a "blog" brings down the quality. I like the readers say, but this blog stuff is not factual most of the time and should be changed to be more like the readers say. In order to post a person must use their real identities. Why don't I, cause I'm the truth seeker
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TruthSeeker11
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06-14-09 11:35 AM
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How about this? Could this be true….. Trollll – The screen name says it all. A troll is…..well I’ll have respect for those with some intelligence and education to know. kmd0302 – What’s a matter Kathy, upset because you know somebody close was arrested in the first sting operation? That’s right you post so much about yourself we know who you are living out in claytor and always complaining about the city workers but don’t want a hotel built near your house. You should be ashamed being a CCHS graduate.
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TruthSeeker11
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06-14-09 11:31 AM
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Wonder if any of this hits home….. PCGS70 – This guy lives on the island, hates government, the cops, and has admitted (in public posts) that he is a crack addict. He blames everybody else for his problems and thinks that a conspiracy is going on with anybody who is successful and involved in any public office. This guy should be eliminated from posting lies, and a small piece of personal advice. MOVE! OhValleyGuy – If somebody commits certain crimes it is OK? Let’s direct our focus on…. WHAT? If you are as informed as you think you are you would know that there are persons arrested for drugs just about every day in this city. Why don’t you read the “print” newspaper and watch some other media so you have all of the facts. EllisWyatt – Another conspiracy theory nut that uses the old public record fact for amusement. Why don’t you put up some of your money to invest in this city? If you don’t have any, why criticize those that do? What a jealous little person. Trollll
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Sanitzer
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06-14-09 11:11 AM
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Knowing who was busted I bet the 'Watch Puppy' won't say a word about this. Also, I believe the same person was one of the head honchos for the Tea Bag Party. That is so funny. God, I love moral republicans, next thing you know one will preach abstinence while daughter is getting knocked up. Oh wait...
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EllisWyatt
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06-14-09 8:50 AM
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Can any of these men get a fair hearing when their pictures are published for the whole world to see? Whether or not they are found guilty, this paper has already ruined their reputation. You can argue that they did it to themselves but, remember, they are not guilty of anything. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I hope that every time someome remotely connected to this paper gets in a bit of trouble, we see their picture on the news. Why don't we ask Bob Nutting why he has violated the MLB revenue sharing rules and shifted funds around to avoid getting caught? Why don't we ask about using revenue sharing to pay down debt YOU OWE TO YOURSELF FOR BUYING THE TEAM THAT PLAYS IN A $250 MILLION STADIUM PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS? If the Pirates wanted to win, they could. But it would mean a higher payroll and less revenue sharing and profits for the ownership.
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susanTtalker
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06-13-09 10:07 PM
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I hope one of these fellows is able to get a good lawyer, get out of the case for obviously entrapment, and then sues the heck out of the city of Wheeling and this newspaper. Oh, yeah, has anyone at the paper thought to ask the city how much this "sting" is costing the taxpayers in special officers, insurance, overtime and the possibility of entrapment lawsuits? No, they're too busy kissing the collective a*s of the Wheeling PD so they can get more mugshots of these desperados.
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susanTtalker
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06-13-09 10:04 PM
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Shame on this newspaper and what passes for its editorial staff for plastering the photos of these men at the top of the fold across the front of the paper merely to sell newspapers. Have these men been found guilty? Had a trial? This paper plays this up more than it plays up someone being arrested for murder. Yeah, these men may or may not have solicited prostitutes. Big freaking deal. It happens every night in every city. And the use of undercover cops to "nab" these guys? For what? Minor crimes that might net a fine of a couple hundred bucks each?
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Joanie1982
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06-13-09 8:07 PM
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I "get" busting the guys because if they can dry up the customer base, then the prostitutes will go away. Busting the hookers means there's just one around the cormer to take her place.
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GoldenArm
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06-13-09 8:03 PM
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"I really think the local newspaper needs to rethink this policy, because it's obviously just a ploy to sell newspapers. " Good point. Its the same crap that the paper pulls on this website. I can't remember the last time they ran anything that was remotely newsworthy.
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steelercrazy
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06-13-09 7:52 PM
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Again, people who solicit prostitution should be arrested and punished. It's a scummy crime. However, the Intell again posted the pictures of the 6 "Johns" today on page one, above the fold. I don't think this crime rises (no pun intended) to the level of where these men deserve this level of importance in the paper. The pictures of DUI arrestees are not published top of page 1 in the Intell unless they've got nabbed a 8-10 times. These guys made a really bad mistake, but is it worse than a DUI??? I don't think so. I really think the local newspaper needs to rethink this policy, because it's obviously just a ploy to sell newspapers.
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GoldenArm
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06-13-09 7:33 PM
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I've got information from a good source that tmoore is the old, fat guy on the bottom row.
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1dougie
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06-13-09 7:17 PM
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What"s bad for those men who were arrested is that since their picture is in the paper, All their friends and family and coworkers get to see what kind of people they really are and if any of them are married i am sure that most of their wives would be filing for divorce and all because they were hard up for sex,
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Mchaz2009
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06-13-09 6:49 PM
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slkmom and ldydiamond legalized prostitution in many countries and one state that i know of does protect women, gets rid of pimps, makes it mandatory for drug testing, std testing, etc. so legalize it, regulate it, create more jobs with it. get them off welfare because right now their earnings aren't taxed or reported.
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AlexanderShulgin
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06-13-09 6:35 PM
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How many ladies who are against prostitution would stay with a guy who gave them nothing?
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1dougie
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06-13-09 2:32 PM
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An if the city is really serious about getting some of this trash off the street they should go get the dog catcher to go out and pick up some of these hookers as well
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BurningUp07
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06-13-09 2:31 PM
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I've never seen a good looking whore in Wheeling so ya if she's hot she's gotta be an undercover cop. It's probably true the working girls in Wheeling are all druggies. We need the higher class escort girls around here then we'll be in good shape lol
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1dougie
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06-13-09 2:29 PM
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I have to say there are some real creeps out there lurking around in out city, and then a again if the only women these men can pick up is lot lizards then they should get some professional help.
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Zipperhead
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06-13-09 11:54 AM
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If you are looking for a little, just go to Stuebenville and you won't get busted.
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Ladydiamond
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06-13-09 11:23 AM
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Believe it or not, in a lot of cases, prostitution is directly related to the illegal drug trade in Wheeling. When women who are hooked on drugs (and sometimes even their boyfriends too) and they don’t have enough money to buy the drugs, they turn to prostitution. When you are hooked on drugs, it loosens your morals and you want that drug bad enough you will sell your body, your possessions and you may even prostitute your children. That’s one of the ugly truths behind prostitution and drugs. So law enforcement does have an obligation to set up stings and arrest “johns”. It’s not a waste of time or taxpayers money. In addition, prostitution leads to transmittal of STD’s which may or may not have any direct effect on you today but may in fact effect you or your children somewhere down the line. Trust me, you have no idea who you are sleeping after. Even innocent people who stay at home (but have a cheating spouse) can get STD’s.
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rover1958
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06-13-09 11:00 AM
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Think about it. How many real cities in America devote their meagre law enforcement resources to setting up citizens for a sting for soliciting prostitution?? It's boggling to imagine female officers hired to be 'politically correct' but not facing any real law enforcement dangers just posing as whores while two or three TWO MAN cruisers are around the corner. This is crazy. If the 'Chief' really wants to control the whores he should have his detectives be detectives and find out who the pimps are, who the top dogs are, what the real story is. What a waste to focus on chasing lower class guys who spit on the sidewalk, throw chewing gum wrappers or pee in the gutter.
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scorpy01
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06-13-09 10:59 AM
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Unbelievable! Are there not enough violent criminals for the police to nab that they must go after consenting adults who want to have sex? And shame on the media for plastering this across the front pages and on our TV screens. Talk about playing to the prurient interests of people! Is this really more news worthy than the hundreds of other issues facing the people in this valley and across the country today?
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1slkmom
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06-13-09 9:22 AM
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This is not a "poor lonely guy" situation! Prostitution is exploitative and demeaning to the women or men involved in selling themselves for money. Legalizing prostitution expands and also helps pimps (usually involved in drugs), fails to protect women, and leads to more back-alley violence, not less. Creating more trouble than good. Who cares about any of these other problems ..."boys will be boys" PLEASE! Do any of you have morals in Wheeling? A good man could control his urges and not solicit a total stranger for a thoughtless act. Great job WPD...Keep the scum off the streets!
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AlexanderShulgin
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06-13-09 8:35 AM
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*****= v i a g r a
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