12 nabbed in prostitution sting arraigned

BOARDMAN — Twelve people arrested on prostitution-related charges last week in a sting operation conducted by township police, the FBI and officers from the Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force were arraigned Tuesday.

Seaniece McKelvin, 21, of Warren; Taylor Bracy, 21, of Youngstown; and Meschelle Alli, 36, of Youngstown pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution and possessing criminal tools at the arraignment hearing.

Sade Elliot, 23, of Youngstown and Aaliyah Clark, 19, of Youngstown pleaded no contest to soliciting prostitution.

Those who pleaded guilty or no contest were sentenced to pay a fine and court costs, 12 months probation and to undergo a psychological assessment.

Amy Jo Begeot, 28, of Girard; Jessica Maxwell, 33, of Youngstown; Michelle Harris, 28, of Youngstown; and Constance Adams, 36, of Youngstown pleaded not guilty to the charge of soliciting prostitution. Begeot and Maxwell also pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing criminal tools.

Matthew Pupio, 29, of Boardman, the only "John" arrested in the operation, pleaded not guilty to charges of compelling prostitution and possessing criminal tools. His bond is set at $8,000.

Those who pleaded not guilty have pre-trial hearings scheduled for Aug. 5.

Cherelle McKelvin, 19, of Warren and Kiana Powell, 27, of Niles did not appear for the arraignment. McKelvin is charged with soliciting prostitution and possessing criminal tools. Powell is charged with soliciting prostitution and promoting prostitution.

The sting operation that led to the arrests was part of a nationwide FBI effort to curb human trafficking of minors.