Prostitution Sting Nabs Five Unhappy Hookers

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (November 26, 2008): Five women were arrested at a high end hotel in Fashion Island last Thursday night for suspicion of prostitution. A sixth woman was also taken into custody for a related charge.

According to Sergeant Evan Sailor, the Newport Beach Police Department conducts prostitution stings about twice a year, targeting spurious escort services that advertise in local papers, magazines and websites such as Craig’s List.

This investigation focused on women that had posted such advertisements and led to the arrests at the Island Hotel Resort and Spa at 690 Newport Center Drive, explained Sailor. Arrests can follow such scenarios as the discussion of a price for an overt sexual act and then the suspected prostitute making an advance toward, or placing a hand on, the undercover officer.

Those arrested for prostitution were Angela Edward, 30, of Irvine; Tiffany Loston, 20, of San Diego, Victoria Campos, 20, of Garden Grove, Ernestina Medrano, 45, of Garden Grove and Erin Sirkis, 26, of Memphis, Tennessee. Shirley Goemaat, 60, of San Clemente, was also arrested for allegedly operating an escort service without a permit.

Newport Beach isn’t aware of any escort services conducting business in the city, according to Sailor. If they wished to, however, Newport Beach municipal code would require them to be registered and licensed.

Any such services would also need to be “platonic in nature,” said sailor.