6 Arrests in Clarkstown Prostitution Sting

Six local men were arrested Friday when the Clarkstown Police Department and Rockland County District ATtorney's Office conducted a joint operation against local prostitution.

“Sex trafficking continues to destroy countless lives,” said District Attorney Thomas Zugibe. “This undercover sting should send a strong message to prospective johns that their hobby is not a victimless crime, but rather a terrifying and despicable offense against some of our most vulnerable populations.”

Targeted were local motels and hotels where police have seen an increase in both organized and independent prostitution.

“Enforcing these crimes takes bad people off the streets and sends a message to criminals that these activities are not going to be tolerated in Clarkstown,” said Police Chief Michael Sullivan.

Three of the arrestees were also hit with drug charges.

Here's the police department's complete statement:

On Friday April 1, 2016 the Clarkstown Police Department and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office joined together to conduct an aggressive law enforcement operation focused on local hotels and motels where the department has seen an increase in organized and independent prostitution activities. Six arrests were made of would-be sex buyers (or “johns”) in an ongoing effort to combat the growing problem of human/sex trafficking. In a four hour period over 140 individuals contacted our “sting” unit in response to an undercover advertisement that was posted on the internet. “Sex trafficking continues to destroy countless lives,” said District Attorney Zugibe. “This undercover sting should send a strong message to prospective johns that their hobby is not a victimless crime, but rather a terrifying and despicable offense against some of our most vulnerable populations.” The collaboration of law enforcement efforts between the department and the district attorney have targeted issues in our community such as prostitution, human trafficking, massage parlors and narcotics. Many of these offenders have a violent criminal history. “Enforcing these crimes takes bad people off the streets and sends a message to criminals that these activities are not going to be tolerated in Clarkstown” said Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan. The six arrests were as follows:

· Jared McHugh, 35, of Pearl River, NY, charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd (felony), criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd (felony) and patronizing a prostitute 3rd (misdemeanor).

· Jonny Merroquem, 31, of Nyack, NY, charged with patronizing a prostitute 3rd (misdemeanor).

· Jarrett Hilton, 23, of West Nyack, NY, charged with patronizing a prostitute 3rd (misdemeanor) and possession of marihuana.

· Kenneth Watford, 48, of Nyack, NY, charged with patronizing a prostitute 3rd (misdemeanor).

· Jeffrey Adler, 58, of Hillsdale, NJ, charged with patronizing a prostitute 3rd (misdemeanor).

· Louis Rodrigo-Lala, 32, of Spring Valley, NY, charged with patronizing a prostitute 3rd (misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of marihuana (violation).

This is one of many operations that the Clarkstown Police Department initiates to efficiently utilize its resources to squeeze the criminal element out of our community. As noted in the attached analysis, we have increased our enforcement to address this horrendous crime.