Sting nets prostitution arrests
What started Friday with a North Strabane Township police officer monitoring Internet websites for suspected prostitution activity ended later that night with the arrests of two suspected prostitutes, one each by North Strabane and South Strabane Township police, as well as the arrest of a man who police believe was providing security for one of the women.
Wei Xing, 31, who was identified through a Chinese passport as being from Beijing, China, was arrested by North Strabane police on charges of possessing instruments of a crime and promoting prostitution. Nadia Rivera, 37, and Christian Kacee Senegal, 43, both of Oakland, Calif., also were arrested on the same charges by South Strabane police, as well as a charge of conspiracy. Senegal also is charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia after he was found with the suspected drug, police said.
The North Strabane officer was searching a known website where prostitutes reportedly solicit for customers when he found an ad for an Asian woman with a telephone number and location off the Racetrack Road exit of Interstate 79. He contacted a detective with an Allegheny County police department for assistance in an undercover operation. Both officers had noticed there had been an Asian woman posting on the Internet from the area of The Meadows Casino for the last two weeks.
According to police, the undercover officer called the number and spoke with an Asian woman who spoke good English, and was directed to a motel near the casino. He also was given prices for services, police allege.
After arriving at the hotel, he made another call and was directed to a room where he was greeted by a woman later identified as Xing. She did not speak English, and he communicated with her through hand gestures. Xing wanted paid first, police said. After taking the money, Xing allegedly started removing her clothing and motioned for the undercover officer to drop his pants. Township police then arrived and took her into custody.
Also Friday, the North Strabane officer and undercover detective noticed another ad and called the number, which directed them to a hotel in South Strabane. South Strabane police were contacted, and the sergeant on duty gave permission for the undercover operation to continue.
The undercover officer went to a room and was greeted by a woman later identified as Rivera. The detective complimented Rivera on her looks, and she allegedly pulled down her dress and revealed herself to him. As she continued to move about the room and expose herself, they discussed what sex acts she would perform, police said. After he paid the agreed amount, she allegedly removed her clothing. South Strabane police were contacted, and the detective identified himself as a police officer.
Police learned that the room had two occupants. They found a set of keys to a Mercedes sport utility vehicle in Rivera’s purse and spotted a Mercedes sport utility vehicle parked near the entrance to the hotel. One of the officers said he saw a man, later identified as Senegal, trying to hide between the seats. The keys in her purse matched the vehicle’s locking mechanism, police said. Senegal admitted to knowing Rivera. Police believe he was security for Rivera, based on the location of the vehicle.
All three were arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger and placed in Washington County Jail on $25,000 bonds. They are scheduled for Jan. 21 preliminary hearings before District Judge Jay Weller.