Austintown police arrest pair in prostitution sting

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown police arrested a man and a woman Wednesday afternoon in yet another sting operation involving online prostitution ads.

Officers responded to an advertisement on an online classified site stating, “If your [sic] that lucky guy, I’m your lucky girl.”

A woman identifying herself as “Tamera” responded to a text message telling police she charged $100 for an encounter. She agreed to meet officers at a location on state Route 46.

Lakisha Barnes, 31, of Farrell, Pa., arrived at the location and was placed under arrest.

She was driven by Jerome McKnight, 32, of Sharon, Pa., who initially provided officers with a false name because he thought there was a warrant for his arrest.

Barnes told police she never actually engaged in prostitution. She admitted to meeting men, but said she took their money and ran prior to sexual activity.

Police found 200 ads bearing her poster ID on the online classified site since March 2017.

She also had a crack pipe in her book bag, according to the report. She told police she was not addicted to drugs, she just used them to avoid going through withdrawals.

McKnight said he was driving Barnes in exchange for gas money.

Barnes was charged with soliciting, possessing criminal tools and drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors. McKnight was charged with falsification and promoting prostitution, which is a felony.