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The Springfield Police Department said the sting, which took place on Thursday, May 27, was the first such large-scale operation for the department since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, that targeted "Johns" in the Springfield area.
"This operation was carried out in response to the ongoing quality of life complaints from citizens in the South End neighborhood," said Ryan Walsh, spokesman for the Springfield Police.
In recent years, under the direction of Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood and Narcotics Unit Capt. Brian Keenan, the Springfield Police Department has been working to target the men; instead of the women generally involved in prostitution, he added.
"Many of the women involved in these activities struggle with substance use and are victims themselves, and we will continue to work with our partner agencies to provide them with the help and resources they need," said Clapprood.
Those arrested were all charged with sexual conduct for a fee and included:
- Raymond Mercado-Molina, age 29, of West Springfield
- Antonio Howie, age 24, Springfield
- Timothy Jackson, age 26, of Palmer
- Aaron Gamble, age 22, of East Hartford, Connecticut
- Henry Festa, Age 59, of Springfield
- Charlemagne Mata, age 49, of Springfield, also charged with a firearms license violation
- Christopher Cabrera, age 28, of Springfield
The sting was carried out by members of the Springfield Police Narcotics Unit and Massachusetts State Police High-Risk Victims Unit under the direction of Lt. Edward Hattan and Capt. Brian Keenan and included:
- Springfield Police detectives,
- Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit,
- Hampden County Sheriff's Department,
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