Woman charged with prostitution misses hearing, found on street

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A woman charged with loitering for prostitution earlier this week failed to appear for a court hearing, but police found her in the same place doing the same thing less than 24 hours later.

Britney Watson, 25, of Fairview Avenue, was arraigned Thursday before Judge Elizabeth Kobly of Youngstown Municipal Court on two charges of loitering to engage in prostitution. Judge Kobly ordered her held in Mahoning County jail on a combined $6,000 bond.

Watson was arrested Wednesday when officers noticed she was walking in the middle of Hillman Street near St. Louis Avenue waving at passing cars. Officers, saying the actions are common for those engaging in prostitution, stopped Watson, then realized the woman looked a little familiar.

Watson had just been arrested by the same two officers Tuesday for loitering to engage in prostitution. She was slated to appear in court Wednesday but did not show up.

On Tuesday, Watson waved at the officers’ unmarked car then tried to open the door and get in the car when the officers stopped the vehicle. Reports say Watson looked surprised and said, “Oh, it’s the police.”

Police previously charged Watson with resisting arrest.