Peggy Erks
Frank Lewis
PDT Staff Writer
Eight area women are feeling the impact of a $480,000 grant given to the Portsmouth Police Department that has resulted in increased officer presence in the area. Among the crimes Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware said the department would target was prostitution and now the Portsmouth Police Department, with the assistance of the New Boston Police Department, have conducted an operation which led to the arrest of eight women related to prostitution.
The Department, using the federal grant funding, conducted the operation due to the continuing problem that plagues Portsmouth’s east end.
Arrested were Peggy Erks, 22; Jennifer Shepherd, 34; Ebony Underwood, 32; Mechelle Smith, 29; Chrissy Parsons, 29; Christie Stapleton, 24 and Carol King, 32, all of Portsmouth as well as Ashley Maynard-Apel, 33, of West Portsmouth. All are charged with one count of solicitation. King faces an additional charge of possession of drug abuse instruments.
All of the solicitation charges are a Misdemeanors of the Third Degree and if found guilty, each woman could face a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, in addition to any court cost. King also faces an additional 90 days in jail and $750 in fines for the drug abuse instrument charge.
Ware said the Portsmouth Police Department is committed to reducing these crimes and plans additional operations in the future in order to curb prostitution activity.
“The Department wishes to thank the Village of New Boston Police Department and those citizens who assisted us,” Ware said. “The contact person concerning these arrests is Detective Jim Charles. We ask that anyone with information on these, or any other crimes, call the Police Department at 740-353-4101.”
Ware said callers can remain anonymous and all information is kept confidential.
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com.
How degrading and humiliating!!!
Why not plaster Marshall's mug on the paper when he deliberately drank and drove his automobile with an alcohol level far beyond the legal limits????
YEAH, WHERE ARE THE JUDGES/JOHN'S, AND THE PIMP'S. HAH.
the money was not given solely to arrest these women, it just allowed a heavier police presence which in turn resulted in arrests FINALLY! now I think the Johns should have been arrested too and their faces Plastered all over the news, I understand these women have families but they chose to do what they are doing, so they get no sympathy from me, nor I would say from very many other people. The Johns faces need to be plastered, because I have a feeling they would be extremely embarrassed to be busted for this, and may just maybe if they were busted often enough,these ladies would have to find another way to earn money, like maybe get a REAL job. I hate when I have to drive through that part of town, I am a female and I will tell you that they don't care who it is if you have to slow down for any reason they think you are interested and will try to approach your vehicle. Mr. Lewis was doing his job he is not to be faulted for reporting the truth.
However, I think it pety to plaster their faces over the internet and in black and white print. It almost seems like slapping a scarlet letter on their chests. They are someone's daughter. They could be mothers. They could be sisters. I feel asamed that of all the news Lewis felt the need to cover that this was one. Shame on you, Mr. Lewis.
These women are mere products of their environment. Lest we forget that some people are considered 'trash'. Regardless of the age that judgement is made about them, the label sticks. Some of us are more selective about how we choose what we consider what is and is not trash. I don't know about you, but I usually discard my trash.
That, dear reader, is what you are seeing. Trash, being discarded.