Waltham Man Charged in Prostitution Sting

A Waltham man is among nine arrested on Friday by Burlington police in a prostitution sweep.

During the operation, an undercover officer was approached by an alleged human trafficker, who attempted to “recruit” the officer to work for him.

The sweep is similar to others conducted in years past, Burlington police targeting the other part of the equation to arrest customers. Police say it is done in an effort to drive these kinds of crimes away from Burlington, a hub of commerce and hotels and a crossroads of several major highways.

For the operation, a female police officer posted ads on a website that is well-known for being a haven for classified ads offering sex for a fee.

Arrested were:

• Emad Aljahdii (age 34, of Burlington)

• Aaron Bath (age 43, of Billerica)

• Richard Homsi (age 50, of Waltham)

• Auric Mak (age 35, of Lowell)

• Grishkumar Patel (age 53, of Woburn)

• Anthony Petruno (age 29, of Acton

• Mauro Santiago (age 36, of Dracut)

• Shakwaan Simpkins (age 24, of Brockton)

All of the suspects except Simpkins were charged with Engaging in Sexual Conduct for a fee. Simpkins was charged with Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude after he responded to the sting operation advertisement and called the undercover officer, arranging to meet and attempting to “recruit” her to work as a prostitute for him.

Homsi was also charged with Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Over Age 14 after he allegedly groped the undercover officer. He was arrested without incident, and the officer was not injured.

“The arrest of Mr. Simpkins puts an exclamation mark on this operation, and it shows exactly why we get out there regularly in an attempt to interdict sex crimes in our community,” Chief Kent said in a statement. “Prostitution is not a victimless crime, and we can only wonder how many other people like Simpkins are out there, luring, trapping, and victimizing women who do not happen to be an undercover police officer.”

“We will do these operations until nobody shows up to be arrested,” said Detective James Tigges, who helped execute the sting.

The nine individuals arrested will be arraigned Tuesday in Woburn District Court.