Montgomery County authorities last Friday busted six alleged “johns” in an undercover sting designed to crack down on prostitution and human trafficking.
The six include: Andrew H. Kim, 46, of the 500 block of Overlook Avenue in the Willow Grove section of Upper Moreland; Sunil Shantilal Jagani, 41, of the 100 block of Tudor Court, Malvern; Scott E. Konefsky, 30, of Upper Providence; Lalatendu Mahapatra, 28, of the 100 block of Church Road, Upper Gwynedd; Jason D. Schenck, 24, of the 6200 block of Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia; and, Eric D. Zettle, 44, of the 100 block of Koegle Lane, West Norriton.
All six are charged with the misdemeanor offense of patronizing prostitutes and could be sentenced to a maximum of six months to one year behind bars and also fined up to $2,500.
Konefsky also was charged with a carrying a concealed, loaded .25-caliber Beretta semi-automatic handgun without a valid gun license.
Dates for their preliminary hearings have not been set.
The undercover sting involved county detectives and Upper Merion police.
All six alleged johns responded to an advertisement authorities placed on a well-known escort Web page, according to the criminal complaints.
Authorities said each of the six was advised by phone or text messages about the types of sexual services available and costs. After an agreement was reached, the individual then would be given a time, a hotel and room number where the sexual service would be provided.
The costs of the sexual services allegedly sought by each of the six ranged from $100 to $200. Each of the six was arrested after allegedly arriving at the hotel room and placing money for the sexual service on a table, according to the complaint.
“We were surprised that by one online ad there was so much traffic,” said county District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.
“We are hopeful that, with these initiatives and the publicity, it will undercut the demand and encourage people not to come into Montgomery County and participate in this type of activity,” said Ferman.
Ferman, along with police in Montgomery Township and Upper Merion, announced the crackdown last month, stating that even the “johns,” who in the past often escaped without charges, would be targeted.
Authorities put together this undercover sting and similar initiatives in response to an increase in prostitution activities in area hotels and motels in the county and the other crimes, such as robbery and drug use, that are associated with this type of activity.
Beneficiary of Fake DMCA: George Hagen
Possible Infringements: Perjury,Impersonation,Identity-theft,Misrepresentation
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Original Link: https://www.theintell.com/story/news/crime/2014/03/03/montco-arrest-six-alleged-johns/17705918007/
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Date of Submission: November 22, 2023 , 2023