Prostitution Sting in Riverside Nets 10 Arrests

Undercover Southampton Town police officers posing as prostitutes and johns conducted a sting in Riverside on Saturday night that resulted in 10 arrests.

According to police, the operation, which took place near the Riverside traffic circle, was in "direct response" to complaints from local residents and business owners who have said there is frequent and "highly visible" prostitution in the area.

Eight individuals were arrested for patronizing a prostitute in the 3rd degree, a misdemeanor, one person for prostitution, a misdemeanor and one person for promoting prostitution in the 4th degree, also a misdemeanor.

In addition, one person was charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, after fighting with the arresting officers, and one individual was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, after a quantity of marijuana was found on his person while being searched after his arrest.

Individuals arrested and charged with patronizing a prostitute in the 3rd degree after they allegedly agreed to exchange money for either sex, oral sex or both included Fabian Bhor, 40, of Riverhead, Timoteo Lopez, 27, of Riverhead, Amadeo Valasquez, 22, of Flanders, Ruben Mutzutz, 36, of Riverhead, Wilmo Urrea-Bedon, 43, of Riverhead, Mario Soyos, 29, of Riverhead, Marvin Boco, 27, of Riverhead, and a 17 year old male, of Riverhead.

Joe Lee McKay, 65, of Mastic, was arrested and charged with promoting prostitution in the 4th degree after he allegedly advanced the crime of prostitution by “steering” two of the men to the undercover prostitute and negotiated the price of oral sex between the men and the prostitute.

In addition, April L. Robinson, 36, of Riverhead was arrested and charged with prostitution after she allegedly agreed to perform oral sex in exchange for a sum of money.

All of the individuals arrested either posted bail and are scheduled to return to Southampton Town Justice Court on June 27 or were arraigned on Sunday.