MLPD arrests 19 in prostitution crackdown
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 12 months AGO
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department Investigations unit with the support of the Othello Pollice Department conducted a three-day human trafficking operation. The three-day operation was designed to impact both the demand and supply side of human trafficking. There were a total of 19 arrests with 13 of them for patronizing a prostitute and the other six for prostitution.
The first day of the operation was Wednesday, with six people arrested. Five of them were arrested for patronizing a prostitute, which includes Thomas J. Laney, 71; Jaime D. Hernandez, 44; Howard W. Kwong, 54; Joseph C. Sulkey, 33 and Peter M. Hibbard, 36. One woman was arrested for prostitution.
The second day on Thursday resulted in four arrests, three of which for patronizing a prostitute and one for prostitution. The three arrested for patronizing include Misael Montes Lopez, 25; Roman D. Brown, 37 and Dustin C. Smith, 31. One 31-year-old was arrested for prostitution.
The final day on Friday resulted in nine arrests five of which were for patronizing a prostitute. The five are as follows: Montie E. Welker, 52; Cody J. Heathman, 35; Gregory J. Johnson, 45; Christopher A. Fitch, 42 and Joe B. Eldredge, 65. The other four arrests were for prostitution.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.