Police Bust Alleged Prostitution Ring In Canton

CANTON, GA — Four law enforcement agencies came together to crack an alleged prostitution ring centered at a home less than a mile from the Canton Police Department.

That's according to the agency, which said Tuesday that its investigators, along with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Homeland Security, made five arrests on Monday following a month-long investigation.

Those arrested and charged were:

• Aroldo Roca-Lara, 31, of Canton; charged with possession of cocaine and misdemeanor obstruction;
• Jesus Benigno Hernandez Velazquez, 52, of Canton; charged with keeping a place of prostitution and racketeering;
• Alicia Navarro Flores, 32, of Norcross; charged with prostitution and racketeering;
• Roberto Chavez-Duran, 38, of Norcross; charged with pimping, racketeering and making false statements; and
• Juan Escabar-Tercero, 48, of Canton; charged with pimping and racketeering.

A tip to CMANS led police to launch the investigation. Canton police spokesperson Pacer Cordry said investigators believe Roca-Lara was the alleged proprietor of the suspected "prostitution house" located in the 300 block of Archer Street and was working alongside Velazquez and Flores. While police were serving the warrants, Flores was located at the home and charged with prostitution.

Additionally, Tercero, whom police said is a cab driver operating in the Canton area, was charged in connection to the case.

CMANS Commander Phil Price said while the tip from the resident specifically referenced prostitution, agents had to watch the house over the course of a few weeks to get an idea of what was going on inside the home. Without having someone go inside the residence, there was really nothing law enforcement could do but wait until they received probable cause of illegal activity, Price told Patch.

“That’s why we watched for so long,” he said.

CMANS, a joint task force made up of law enforcement agencies in Cherokee County, is the leading organization that investigates drug activity in the county. After receiving the tip, Price said agents opted to assist Canton police with its investigation because of its resources and ability to conduct extensive surveillance.

Price told Patch that this was the first time he's seen and investigated this type of operation Cherokee County. It was also the first time he was able to see how organizations such as these work, which he said appear to be broad, yet loosely-based groups that have multiple people pulling the strings.

When asked if his organization could tweak its operations to include investigating these type of crimes under its umbrella of services, Price said he didn't think it would be necessary at this time. What went on in Canton, he added, was a small group of people who, already isolated from the larger community due to language and culture barriers, launched a "criminal service" to cater to clients possibly facing those same obstacles.

“I don’t think that’s going to be a common thing in Cherokee County," he said. However, if and when CMANS receives tips of this nature, Price said he is grateful to have the backing and support of the sheriff and local police chiefs to take on those cases.

Authorities continue to ask the public to report any suspicious behavior that could be "linked to this type of activity." The case is part of an ongoing investigation led by the GBI and Homeland Security's efforts to identify additional prostitution operations throughout Georgia, Canton police add.

Return to Patch for updates.

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