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Two women arrested in Canfield on prostitution due in court today
By ROBERT CONNELLY
CANFIELD
A concerned citizen and a minor traffic stop led authorities to arrest two people in connection with a home used for prostitution in the city.
Canfield Police Sgt. Cris Ruiz explained that the department received a citizen complaint “that there was some unusual activity on a particular street — Hood Drive.”
He said that complaint was received Wednesday, and they made two arrests at 31 Hood Drive by Friday. Those arrested were Leah C. Petruzzi, 34, and Shanika Simmons, 31, both of Youngstown, on charges of prostitution.
He said before Friday’s arrest the department had a “traffic-stop from someone that had left the residence and made a minor drug arrest on it.” He said that after researching Petruzzi and Simmons, officers discovered that the two had been arrested for prostitution in Liberty Township on Wednesday.
Then, investigators “found an advertisement for prostitution on a social site linking it directly to Canfield.” Ruiz said they called the number listed, and the person who answered the phone “confirmed it was in Canfield and that they were offering services.”
He said an officer entered the residence Friday, “was offered services,” and then Canfield police and the department’s officer with the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force entered the home. Once inside, police found the two women and a man. The man was not arrested because “there was no evidence to charge him,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said the social-media website advertised services for $200.
According to online court documents, Petruzzi has an open traffic case in Canfield with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. That case is from Sept. 26, and the arraignment for three charges, driving under suspension, hit-and-run and clear distance ahead, is set for Oct. 14. Ruiz said the two will be in Mahoning County Area Court in Canfield today on the prostitution charges.