Police department makes nine arrests in prostitution sting operation

STATELINE – On Thursday, July 30, in the evening hours, the Rockford Police Department District 2 M3 Streets Team in collaboration with the Winnebago County Tactical Team conducted an undercover prostitution detail targeting internet-based prostitution operations.

During the detail, the officers established a fictitious internet-based advertisement for prostitution, which generated a significant number of contacts with men seeking to engage in prostitution.

Also during the detail, officers and deputies made contact with a number of females who also advertised prostitution on the internet as escort services.

During the operation, the following nine arrests were made:

Ziarah J. Haylett, 20-year-old, female, Rockford resident – Prostitution; Corey L. Kidd, 34-year-old, male, Loves Park resident – Soliciting a Sexual Act; Tara L. Martoglio, 30-year-old, female, Machesney Park resident – Prostitution Cesar Morena, 31-year-old, male, Rockford resident – Soliciting a Sexual Act; Jennifer A. Roberts, 24-year-old, female, Green Bay, Wis. resident – Prostitution; Jannah Y. Ruggles, 20-year-old, female, Rockford resident – Prostitution; Makayla N. Smith, 23-year-old, male, Chicago resident – Prostitution; Tyler M. Smith, 26-year-old, male, Leaf River resident – Soliciting a Sexual Act; Marc A. Thorpe, 42-year-old, male, Green Bay, Wis. resident – Suspended License during the investigation.

Officers observed each individual drive to the location and due to that reason, the vehicles each subject was operating, were impounded due to it being an act in furtherance to the offense of the City Ordinance 17-27.1(5) Solicitation Office of Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey LEADING BOLDLY, WORKING TOGETHER of Prostitute/Sexual Act.

Impound fees were increased to a minimum $1,000 for arrests related to these charges. The Rockford Police Department recognizes the importance of focusing on street-level and behind the scenes prostitution activities and will continue to focus resources to combat this problem.

Individuals considering engagement in these activities should heed notice that the City of Rockford does not tolerate this behavior.

Anyone with information regarding prostitution or human trafficking activities should contact the Rockford Police Department at (815) 987-5824 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 963-7867.