March 16, 2018 –
On Thursday March 15, 2018 the Newark Police Street Crimes Unit and Special
Operations Unit conducted a reverse prostitution sting utilizing a local hotel.
Undercover officers placed a fictitious profile
of a female on an internet web page in the escort section to determine if any
"johns" would solicit the female for prostitution. During
the course of the investigation over 150 different telephone numbers called or
texted the phone number placed in the add. The calls and texts were answered by
undercover officers. Six male subjects responded to the hotel after requesting
sexual favors in exchange for money or drugs.
Arrested
were the following persons:
Saleh Ahmed (41)
of Newark DE - Patronizing a Prostitute
Jeffrey Osborne
(47) of Kemblesville PA. - Patronizing a Prostitute, Marijuana Possession
Shrey Upadhyay
(25) of W. Deptford NJ - Patronizing a Prostitute
Mario Colon (24)
of New Castle DE - Patronizing a Prostitute
Jason Wilson (34)
of Newark DE - Patronizing a Prostitute
Robert North (49)
of Smyrna, DE – Patronizing a Prostitute
All six were issued summonses
to appear in Newark Alderman Court #40 at a later date and released from
custody.
Chief of Police Paul Tiernan
stated, “Although we understand that prostitution can be seen as a victimless
crime, many people are engaged in this activity as a result of human
trafficking, and often results in drug activity and violent crimes being
committed.”
While conducting this
operation, on March 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m., the Newark Police received a 911
call reporting an assault and robbery of a female victim at a local hotel. The
female, a 19-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, reported that she was strangled by
someone she had just recently met and had undisclosed items stolen. This
investigation is ongoing and a link to prostitution is being considered as an
element in this crime.
Anyone with additional
information about this incident should contact Detective Anderson at WAnderson@newark.de.us
or 302-366-7100 ext. 3469.
You can send an anonymous text message
tip by texting 302NPD and your message to TIP411. Information can also be
provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐TIP‐3333 or via the internet at
www.tipsubmit.com where a reward may be
available.
The Newark Police Department affirms
that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.