8 Arrested On Drug Possession, Prostitution Charges In Warwick

WARWICK, RI — Eight people were arrested by Warwick police over the weekend in a string of busts in hotels across the city as part of an effort to crack down on prostitution and drug possession. Police say the arrests are part of "interdepartmental efforts to address crimes of vice and quality of life at local hotels." Five of the arrests were for prostitution.

Mercedes Massei, 22, of Woonsocket; Lynn Kearns, 47, of Pawtucket; Jody Celentano, 47, of Attleboro; Michelle Ross, 29, of Providence and Kristina Kibbey, 47, of Cranston were charged with prostitution. Ross was also charged with possession of fentanyl and cocaine, while Kibbey was charged with possession of amphetamines.

Three others were arrested in the bust.

Sean Gauvin, 40, of Warwick was charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Jessica Ruszkowski, 33, of West Warwick, was charged with simple assault and possession of methamphetamine and Valium.

Latoya Wilcox, 35, of Providence, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear in court for an earlier domestic violence charge.

The Cranston Police Department said it would not name the hotels where the arrests took place "to encourage continued cooperation."