Motels owner arraigned on prostitution charge


By Elise Franco

CANFIELD — Arthur Klein, owner of El Patio and Canfield Colonial motels, entered no plea when he appeared in court on a felony charge of promoting prostitution.

Klein, 67, of Canfield, appeared before Judge Scott Hunter in Mahoning County Area Court here Wednesday evening for his arraignment.

Klein’s attorney John Shultz said it’s standard procedure to enter no plea on a felony charge during the initial court appearance.

“He’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 15,” Shultz said. “There, we’ll be entitled to see the nature and extent of the evidence.”

Klein faces up to 18 months in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine.

He was arrested Friday after the Canfield Police Department and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department served warrants at Canfield Colonial, 7815 Akron-Canfield Road, and El Patio, 485 W. Main St., April 16 to collect evidence in a two-month investigation.

Canfield Detective Brian McGivern said two Youngstown police officers who were from the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force were sent in undercover four weeks ago to gather evidence.

“Police utilized confidential informants and undercover police officers during this investigation,” he said. “This resulted in numerous video and audio recordings.”

Four others arrested in the investigation also appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded innocent.

Melissa Mang, 23, and Mike Fayne, 27, two employees at the Canfield Colonial Motel, were charged by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department Monday morning with procuring prostitution. Patricia Jordan, 51, El Patio manager, was charged with procuring Friday by Canfield police. Canfield police said the first-degree misdemeanor charge carries a maximum of six months in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.

Mark Dean Sr., 45, an El Patio employee, was charged Friday with a third- degree misdemeanor of soliciting prostitution. Dean faces up to 60 days in jail and a maximum $3,000 fine.

Dean, Mang, Jordan and Fayne will appear in court for a pretrial hearing at a later date.