It's the first time the Philadelphia Police Department has allowed the media inside a sting operation of its kind. They were completely unaware that the women they had arranged to meet were actually undercover female police officers and the I-Team and police were watching from next door. Once inside the female officer's rooms and the exchange of cash had been made, police arrested the so-called "Johns.
Police arrested seven "Johns" in about three hours during the operation which took place mid-day during the work week. None of the defendants responded to Eyewitness News' requests for comment except for Gorbachev's attorney, Michael Kotik, Esq.
Sting operations: Why the vice squad is stepping up their game, changing tactics. Northeast Philadelphia has become a "hotbed" for prostitution according to Capt.
Derrick Wood, former Citywide Vice commander. A lot of these women are victims. They're being taken advantage of and exploited by these customers who come there to patronize. So we've changed our tactics," he said. In addition to arresting prostitutes, police are attacking the demand for prostitution in the city. We're taking their cell phones, we're taking their money and we're publicizing their names.
So we want to get the word out that if you're going to come to Philadelphia to pick up prostitutes, you're going to pay the consequences," said Sgt. Police: Prostitution is a public safety issue. So we use the word 'Johns' but these guys aren't necessarily you're next door neighbors," says Capt. Police say prostitution is a magnet for all types of crime including guns, drugs and human trafficking which can put even innocent bystanders in danger.
