WEST BRIDGEWATER— Police arrested seven Wednesday in a prostitution sting targeting what they say are dozens of Internet-based sex rings operating in and around the Bridgewaters.
Police, posing as “johns” — or males seeking sex — used an ad posted on the Internet site known as Craigslist and attracted prostitutes to a Palm Drive mobile home beginning about 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Within hours, notice of the sting was posted on Craigslist to warn people, but it was too late for the seven people arrested, according to West Bridgewater police Sgt. John Werner. The seven people include several from the region, and one from as far away as New Jersey.
The sting was prompted by advertisements for “erotic services” in southeastern Massachusetts. It was conducted by the WEB Major Crimes and Drug Task Force, consisting of detectives from the three Bridgewaters.
“WEB investigators were shocked by the amount of South Shore Massachusetts postings on Craigslist's erotic service section and the response from females/males attempting to perform sexual acts for money,” the task force said in a prepared release.
This comes less than a week after a Taunton sting netted five johns within 70 minutes.
The Taunton sting was focused on increasing complaints of prostitutes working the city's business district, but the world's oldest profession has taken to the Internet, which authorities say facilitates the sale of sex in the suburbs.
Craigslist is a centralized network of online urban communities that provides for free advertising and forums on various topics.
During Wednesday's sting, which included four separate undercover operations, two female suspects arrived with male companions who were providing security for them, the suspects told police.
Werner said five women and two men, including Randolph, Taunton and Middleboro residents, were taken into custody.
Most were prostitutes, some were drivers. They were all charged with engaging in sexual conduct for a fee.
Police also seized $3,000 in cash, money they said was obtained during illegal prostitution offenses.
“They had so many arrests, they couldn't keep up with them,” Werner said. “They also towed at least three cars.”
The suspects were taken to East Bridgewater police for booking. Five were held overnight and two released on bail. All are set to appear in Brockton District court today.
Arrested were the following persons for engaging in sexual conduct for a fee and other charges as listed below:
*Erin O'Reilly, 34, of 864 Plymouth St., Middleboro. Police said there were also five warrants out against her.
*Michael Rowe, 18, of 419 Central Ave., Blackwood, N.J.
*Stephanie Bottaro, 22, 34B Nelson St., Randolph.
*Michelle McBain, 28, of 36 Maple St., Marlboro, also discovered were two warrants, including one for prostitution out of the state of Georgia.
*Scott Mezoff, 44, of 17 King Phillip Road, Worcester.
*Amanda Burgess, 18, of 664 East Center St., East Taunton.
*Tiffany Burgess, 26, of 54 East Walnut St., Taunton.
WEB Task force! Strikes again Yeehah! Scottie A is my Masscops hero of the week!
I assume they had to book em at EBPD cuz of the renovations at WBPD. They should have just locked em in the freezer at Trucchis!
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