9 Charged In Prostitution Sting, 1 With Trafficking: HoCo Police

Editor's note: one name was remove from this article as their record was expunged.

LAUREL, MD — Nine people were arrested in a prostitution sting in Howard County Monday night, police reported. One of them was charged with human trafficking after police allege he tried to recruit an undercover officer to travel with him to Virginia for the purpose of prostitution.

The operation occurred at a hotel in the 9800 block of Washington Boulevard in Laurel, according to police. Officers put a fake ad on the website Backpage.com and men who called were provided with a meeting location from an undercover female officer upon request. When they arrived and offered money for sex last Monday night, police said they were arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution and disorderly conduct.

Matthew Ezekial Bogle, 32, of College Park, was charged with human trafficking and prostitution, police said.

Eight others were charged with solicitation of prostitution and other offenses, according to officials:

• Harry Bernard Commarata Jr., 60, of Owings Mills
• David Cookson, 36, of Baltimore
• Peter Han, 43, of Herndon, Virginia
• Emanuel Nicholas Karas, 46, of Arnold
• Luis Alfredo Rodriguez, 33, of Hyattsville
• Mark David Stoessel, 62, of Severn
• • Juvenile male, 15, of Adelphi

The Howard County Police Department has zero tolerance for human trafficking and prostitution. Anyone concerned about these activities may contact 410-290-3784 or email hcpdcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov.

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