YOUNGSTOWN In hooker sting, police charge 8 men, give citations to 3 women

Vice cops received a 'thank you' from a teacher at Hillman Elementary.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Patrolwoman Kelly Lamb, as a fake hooker, held a beer can to look the part -- even though it was only 5 a.m.
"Once we cleared out all the 'girls' with citations, we put Kelly out there," said Lt. Rod Foley, commander of the Vice Squad. "It was her first time, she was appalled at the prices quoted, like $3."
The sting ran from 5 to 9 a.m. Thursday on the South Side and resulted in 11 arrests. Foley said they first set up by St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue but moved to a new locations at sunrise, when schoolchildren started showing up.
"We had a thank you from a teacher at Hillman School," Foley said. "She said she's seen a pupil she once had [working] on the corner."
Reports show the prices quoted for various sex acts ranged from $2 to $20.
To be arraigned
The following eight men, charged with soliciting sex for hire, were scheduled to be arraigned today in municipal court:
UGregory Lerman, 51, of Beverly Hills Drive; issued a summons at 7:55 a.m. Thursday at Chalmers Avenue and Market Street.
UKenneth Wilson, 51, of Glenwood Avenue; issued a summons at 5:40 a.m. at Cleveland and Oak Hill avenues.
UGary J. Lakatos, 38, of Nantucket Drive, Austintown; issued a citation at 9:25 a.m. at Oak Hill and Breaden Street.
UBlakely J. McKelley, 45, of Glenwood Avenue; issued a citation at 8:43 a.m. at Hillman Street and Garfield Avenue. He faces additional charges of possession of crack, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia (crack pipe).
UMaurice Moore, 30, of Marmion Avenue; arrested at 8:55 a.m. at Hillman Street and Falls Avenue. He faces an additional charge of child endangering because a 2-year-old girl was in his car.
UAnthony N. Nwankwo, 47, of Guadalupe Avenue; issued a citation at 8:45 a.m. at Oak Hill and Breaden.
UIra Baird, 70, of Phil Rose Lane, Poland; issued a citation at 8:40 a.m. at Oak Hill and Kenmore Avenue.
URandall Colla Jr., 24, of Brownlee Avenue; issued a citation at 7:20 a.m. at Market and Breaden.
Issued citations
These women were issued citations charging them with loitering to engage in prostitution and were expected in municipal court today for arraignment:
UKathryn Ratliff, 34, of West Montrose Avenue
UMisty Davis, 23, of Granite Avenue.
UCarol Wright, 47, of West Glenaven Avenue.
Foley said efforts by the vice squad have had an impact on late-day corner sex sales and it was time to concentrate on the early morning activity. He said his unit has received numerous complaints from schools, churches and businesses in the South Side target area.
meade@vindy.com