Crime & Safety

Reverse Prostitution Sting Nets Multiple Arrests

Fourteen people were arrested during the sting, including one on drug charges.

A man in possession of drugs and a gun was among the suspects nabbed during a reverse prostitution sting in West Pasco Thursday.

In a joint operation by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the New Port Richey Police Department, law enforcement officers posing as prostitutes walked along U.S. 19 in the city limits of New Port Richey and in Hudson.

Officers arrested 12 men and charged them with solicitation. They also arrested one woman and charged her with prostitution.

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During the sting, a Chevy two-door driven by Joseph Franke of Spring Hill was also pulled over in the Hudson area. Illegal drugs, prescription pills and a .380 semi-automatic pistol were found in his car. Franke was arrested and charged with armed trafficking in methadone, armed trafficking in morphine and two counts of possession of a controlled substance pills without a prescription.


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