CORRECTION: Prostitution Sting Nabs 13 'Johns'

UPDATE: [Nov. 8, 12 p.m] According to police records, only 13 men were arrested in last week's prostituion sting. The records department initially reported 14 incident numbers connected to the case, but now report that only 13 arrests were made. The story has been updated to reflect the new information.

--- 

Original Story:

Norristown and Pennsylvania State Police departments conducted a joint prostitution sting in Norristown on Friday, Nov. 2, and arrested 13 men ranging in age from 18 to 76. The men face charges including patronizing prostitutes, criminal solicitation and disorderly conduct. One of the alleged perpetrators is also being charged with resisting arrest.

In the sting, focused on the area of West Main and Knox streets, two female Pennsylvania State Troopers posed as prostitutes while subjects solicited sexual acts from them for money.

According to Norristown Police Chief Russel Bono, the area was chosen because of an influx of recent complaints in that area.

"For some reason that area is a magnet for prostitutes," said Chief Bono. "We've been doing details up there since I was a patrolman and every time we go up there we wind up making dozens of arrests."

The following defendants were arrested in the Friday night prostitution sting:

• Javie Vega-Gutierez, 30, of the 500 block of West Main Street was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $40 for sex.
• Jorge Pedraza-Nava, 35, of the 600 block of Green Street, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $30 for sex.
• Eric Gomez, 26, of the 600 block of Homer Street in Salisbury, Maryland, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $20 for sex.
• Scott Langwing, 25, of the 400 block of Cherry Street in Pottstown, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper and her partner $20 for sex with both of them.
• Dan Vargas-Gonzalez, 39, of the 500 block of East 24th Street in Chester, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $20 for sex.
• Barrett Parks, 47, of the 900 block of Sunward Street in Gilbert, Arizona, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $30 for sex.
• Irineo Gonzalez, 37, of the 800 DeKalb Street, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $20 for sex.
• Michael Pitchford, 34, of the 500 block of Upland Street in Pottstown, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $20 for a "hand job."
• David Conde-Resendiz, 23, of the 00 block of Blackberry Alley, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $15 for sex.
• Felipe Garcia-Moreno, 50, 800 block of Fayette Street in Conshohocken, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper and her partner $20 for sex with both of them.
• Angelo Durante, 76, of the 900 block of West Marshall Street, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $20 for a "blow job."
• Jeremiah William Moore, 22, of the 900 block of West Washington Street, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $20 for sex.
• Nathaniel Dixon, 18, of the 900 block of West Washington Street, was arrested after reportedly struggling with police following a brief foot chase for allegedly offering an undercover trooper $10 for sex. Dixon is also being charged with resisting arrest.

Norristown Patch will update this story with additional information when it is released.