Former Fairhope officer among 12 arrested in Baldwin County prostitution sting
DAPHNE, Ala. (WALA) — One of the 12 men arrested in a Baldwin County prostitution sting is a former police officer, according to police.
Daphne police said the multi-agency operation Friday targeted people trying to buy sex along the Interstate 10 corridor.
Charges
All 12 men face solicitation charges. Three also face other charges, including attempting to elude, resisting arrest and marijuana possession.
Former officer
Police said one of the men, Jonathan Fender, is a former Fairhope police officer. The Fairhope Police Department said Fender left the department in February for a job in the private sector.
Police: operations are needed
Daphne police Lt. Jason Lazzari said there is a need for operations like this one.
“It’s something that needs to be stopped. Something needs to be addressed in this area,” said Lazzari, of the Daphne Police Criminal Investigations Division.
Lazzari said the activity is not necessarily increasing. “It’s always been there, but we have the manpower,” he said. He said police now have the connections to work on these types of cases and “to put a stop to it.”
Lazzari said manpower and technology had been the issue in the past. “We have it all now,” he said.
No victims involved
Investigators said no actual victims were involved in the sting. They said they hope the arrests encourage victims to come forward.
The Little Tree Project, a nonprofit that advocates for victims, helped with the operation.
Suspects and their charges:
Jonathan Fender, of Silverhill, AL
Jayden Kelley, of Stapleton, AL
Jordan Phillips, of Pensacola FL
Jocquez Dixon, of Montgomery, AL
Joseph Bates, of Mobile, AL, also charged with Attempting to Elude Police
Diego Mauro, also detained for ICE
Shannon Moore, of Wilmer, AL
Carlton Lee, of Daphne, AL, also charged with Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree
Carlos Byther, of Daphne, AL, also charged with Resisting Arrest and Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree
Joseph Bailey, of Gulf Shores, AL, also detained for ICE
Juan Vellejo, III, of San Juan, TX
Terrance Penn, of Mount Vernon, AL
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