LEWISTON, Maine — Four local women were arrested Wednesday night, accused of engaging in prostitution on downtown streets.
The four were charged after an undercover police officer went out onto the streets as part of an effort to crack down on what has been described as a rampant prostitution problem.
“We’re getting reports that they’re approaching people and vehicles at all hours of the day,” Lewiston police Sgt. David St. Pierre said. “It’s a continuing problem we’re trying to address.”
The undercover effort was part of Operation Hot Spots, an ongoing operation involving several agencies, including Lewiston police and Maine Drug Enforcement.
The undercover officer began riding through the downtown at about dinnertime Wednesday. By 6 p.m., the first arrest was made when police say 44-year-old Michelle Descoteaux approached the officer and offered sex for money near Walnut and Pierce streets.
Descoteaux, of 395 Court St., Auburn, was charged with engaging in prostitution.
The officer remained in the downtown area, staying in contact with a team of other agents who monitored his movements.
At 7:30 p.m., police arrested Erin Schneider, 32, of 20 Horton St., after she allegedly propositioned the officer on Bartlett Street, near Androscoggin Avenue.
At 9:20, Monique Libby, 41, of 76 Pine St. was arrested on Main Street, near Frye Street.
At 9:45 p.m., police arrested 26-year-old Jessie Judd, of 88 Bartlett St., near the Multi-Purpose Center on Birch Street.
Each of the suspects was charged with engaging in prostitution. Police said more arrests are likely as the operation continues.
© 2012 the Sun Journal
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Pics or it didn’t happen…………
I’m willing to bet the pics are scary closing time quality
http://www.facebook.com/jessie.judd.90?sk=wall
probably get removed anyway.
Ah. Good old downtown Lewiston…….
What an excellent use of limited resources!
Although I do not condone this behavior, I wholeheartedly agree with you voltron 1. This is a victimless crime between two consenting adults. and if these folks choose to engage in this act, IMHO it is their business, not mine, nor the “authorities”, I would prefer that the “Reverend Carlsons” of the world were removed from the street personally. That would be a better use of resources, arresting people who are actually harming someone.This is of course assumng the act is not committed out in the open for all the world to see. Imagine the tax revenue should the state choose to regulate this activity. They could open brothels right next to the casinos. Same thing, only different.
consenting adults, victimless crime?
Prostitutes are awesome. Signs of a good economy anyway.
Leave them alone, just another sign of overgovernement regulation picking on free enterprise. Geesh, those are good paying jobs.
I like how the article gives the exact locations to pick up a hooker in Lewiston, “near the Multi-Purpose Center on Birch Street”, “Bartlett Street, near Androscoggin Avenue”. Looks like I’m going to start taking the turnpike again.
It does expand the definition of Multi-Purpose Center, though, doesn’t it? lol
I take that back.. Just found the perps booking photos http://www.wgme.com/news/top-stories/stories//images/prostos_o4dBo.jpg. It’s a creature double feature.
I’d say. Looks like they live a very rough life.
I remember that show on channel 56 outta Boston back when cable first came out lol.
It is the perverts like Carlson that lead to their victims sometimes taking the path to become prostitutes. I am not saying that is true in most cases, but it does happen. This can happen if someone learns at any early age that their primary value is as a sexual object. In any case, it is not usually women who have high self-esteem or many good options that wind up in “the world’s oldest profession”. I am not judging them, because they are sometimes very emotionally damaged people. That is why I do not think prostitution is “a victimless crime”.
Thanks Ron Ross so much for the fb pic that must have mucho metho ago on Jessi sad
IGo to you tube type the dirty lew not nice but bangor will soon catch up