(SALISBURY, Md.) - Maryland State Police have arrested eight people for prostitution following an undercover operation at a local hotel on Tuesday, June 7, 2016.
Lieutenant Ryan Bricker says to catch an offender in a prostitution bust, it all begins behind a computer screen. He says contact is initially made through the internet, then communication continues via cell phone. After an agreement is met, the offender and the undercover Trooper decide where to meet.
"What it generally leads to is trafficking of young women, trafficking of women against their will," said Lt. Bricker. "This [operation] didn't lead us to anything further than that, but there are cases in Ocean City, and we had cases months ago in Wicomico County where it did lead us to the trafficking of young women."
Lt. Bricker says the eight suspects could be faced with a $500 fine, as well as up to one year in jail.
The following suspects were charged with prostitution and taken before a District Court Commissioner for processing:
Justin James Shepard, 19, Seaford, Delaware
Kevin Scott, 44, Seaford, Delaware
Aaron Russell Gehrt, 23, Frankford, Delaware
Tyvane Depree Bell, 30, Easton, Maryland
Carmen Anthony Dislyvestro, 58, Salisbury, Maryland
Jordan Lee Black, 25, Bishopville, Maryland
Kody Lee Mariner, 18, Salisbury, Maryland
Kaysilana Madison Leatherbury, 22, Salisbury, Maryland
The undercover operation was conducted by the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Eastern Shore Information Center, Wicomico Bureau of Investigation, Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and their Community Action Team (CAT).