Police arrest two women for prostitution
Two women were arrested Monday by North Strabane Township police on prostitution and other charges after an officer spotted advertisements reportedly offering their services on two websites.
Olivia Nicole Jarrett, 23, who police say is homeless, and Latoya M. Smith, 30, of 1673 Streator Ave., South Strabane Township, were taken into custody about 90 minutes apart at a Meadowlands Boulevard hotel.
Officer Ian Ging, who investigates potential prostitution activity in the township, was monitoring websites advertising escort services when he spotted an ad offering “Relax and unwind with only the best” at a safe location in Washington. Ging sent a text message and contacted a woman, later identified as Jarrett. He agreed to meet her at the hotel where she was staying in the township.
After Ging went to her room, she told him the price for services. Once they agreed on the price, she gave him a choice of two types of condoms. After he made his selection, Jarrett reportedly started to unwrap it. Ging then signaled the arrest team and she was taken into custody.
Smith was arrested in a similar way after she allegedly was advertising services in the Canonsburg, Washington and Charleroi areas, bragging that she was one of the best around and “Ready to rock your world.”
Lt. Kris Wagstaff said prostitution often attracts people with criminal or drug-related backgrounds who might not otherwise choose to visit the township. Both Jarrett and Smith were found with drugs. Jarrett had suspected Alprazolam and Suboxone while Smith had Suboxone, police said. Smith also was wanted on outstanding warrants in Washington and Beaver counties.
Both were arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of prostitution, possessing instruments of a crime and possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia. They were each placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. The two are scheduled for Aug. 23 preliminary hearings before District Judge Jay Weller.