Release prepared by SEU Supervisor Sgt. Damon Greathouse

On September 16, 2016 (Fri.) officers assigned to the police bureau’s Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU), assisted by officers assigned to a Street Operations Group (SOG) detail, conducted an undercover operation targeting “customers” of prostitutes.  A female officer, posing as a prostitute, was approached by prospective customers who engaged the officer in conversation.  During the conversation the undercover police officer and the customer agreed to engage in a sexual act in exchange for a specific amount of money. 

Officers of the Selective Enforcement Unit continue to address complaints of prostitution related activity occurring in residential neighborhoods that adversely affects the quality of life for city residents and negatively impacts businesses within those same neighborhoods.  Prostitution and its related activity also has a direct link to drug use and sales.  This relationship not only impacts the overall neighborhood but also the lives of the prostitute, the customer and their families.

Arrested during the operation were:

            LAUPHIAN, Jeremy W/M/38  Resident 400 blk. W. Fourth St. Quarryville PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

            SERRANO, Antolino H/M/52  Resident 400 blk. Hay Market Ln. Lititz PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

          GRAYBILL, David W/M/60  Resident 200 blk. N. Laurel St. Manheim PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

           RANTON Jr., James B/M/56  Resident 1^st blk. Urban Dr. (East Hempfield Twp.) PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

           RODRIGUEZ, Carmelo H/M/82  Resident 100 blk. W. Kendig Rd. Willow Street PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

GRACIA-LEDESMA, Jose H/M/32  Resident 1^st blk. Michelle Dr. (Lancaster Twp.) PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

           FOLEY Jr., Michael W/M/37  Resident 1^st blk. Deep Hollow Ln. (Lancaster Twp.) PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

           CENTINI, Joseph W/M/58  Resident 200 blk. Saddleford Ct. North (Manor Township) PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

           MARTINEZ, Luis H/M/44  Resident 200 blk. N. Franklin St. Lancaster City PA

Charged with Solicitation of Prostitution

Martinez is deaf and was turned away by the undercover officer only to return a short time later with a specific reference to what he wanted to pay for.

             BAKER, Tommy White B/M/45  Homeless

  Charged with Obstruction of Justice

  Baker had confronted the undercover police officer who he was familiar with.  Baker had been    arrested on July 8^th for attempting to solicit the same undercover police officer.  Baker also had   an outstanding arrest warrant for Solicitation of Prostitution from the previous encounter.

All suspects were sent a summons to be sent, with the exclusion of Baker who was transported to the Lancaster County Prison for arraignment. 

Prostitution and its related crimes are not exclusively a Lancaster city problem but rather a county wide issue.  No prostitution is tolerated within any neighborhood whether in the city or county.

****The Bureau of Police is respectfully requesting that the media limit what is published to that which is on this news release and should the media become aware of any additional information, particularly the names of any witnesses or Lancaster residents in this case, it is requested that they refrain from publishing that information so as not to jeopardize the safety of anyone nor this ongoing investigation.****

All persons accused of a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.