27 Cited In Undercover Prostitution Sting In San Jose: Police

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Police in San Jose issued dozens of prostitution-related citations during a recent four-day undercover operation that involved officers posing as "Johns" seeking "dates" from suspected prostitutes, as well as female officers acting as prostitutes in a "reverse-John" decoy operation.

The San Jose Police Department's Metro Unit conducted the sting Tuesday, May 23 through Friday, May 26, in the area of Oak and S. 1st streets, police Sgt. Enrique Garcia stated in a news release.

Of 27 adults issued criminal citations for alleged prostitution-related offenses, six women were cited on suspicion of engaging in prostitution and 21 male suspects were cited on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute.

"None of the suspects were victims of human trafficking," Garcia said.

One suspect was issued a criminal citation for possession of cocaine, he said.

Listed below are the suspects' names, ages and cites of residence as provided in the news release from the San Jose Police Department:

Mendoza Oswaldo, female, age 34, Oakland resident
Lashaylin Smith, female, age 20, Sacramento resident
Alisha Petit, female, age 20, Richmond resident
Romaldo Sanchez, male, age 26, San Jose resident
Tajae Willis, female, age 20, Hayward resident
Brent Malloy, male, age 46, San Jose resident
Rolando Sotelo, male, age 52, Pico Rivera resident
Jose Noriegahuerta, male, age 45, San Jose resident
Pheo Tran, male, age 63, San Jose resident
Jacob Vasquez, male, age 19, San Jose resident
Jayeshkumar Senjaliya, male, age 32, San Jose resident
Antonio Banegas, male, age 46, San Jose resident
Zviad Kukava, male, age 38, San Jose resident
Melvin Sacmeron, male, age 26, San Jose resident
Dazhanae Williams, male, age 25, San Jose resident
Diana Alejo, female, age 19, Berkeley resident
David Morales, male, age 44, East Palo Alto resident
Joe Gutierrez, male, age 47, San Jose resident
Sang Bui, male, age 50, San Jose resident
Najeeb Ansari, male, age 47, San Jose resident
Makhan Singh, male, age 63, San Jose resident
Aron Frances, male, age 41, Campbell resident
Martin Zarate, male, age 26, San Jose resident
Omar Arochi, male, age 29, San Jose resident
Hector Juarez, male, age 22, San Jose resident
Hector Gordillo-Fernandez, male, age 47, San Jose resident
Latasha Sayon, female, age 26, San Francisco resident

Image via San Jose Police Department