Hearings scheduled for suspects arrested in prostitution bust
WAYNESBURG – Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for three people who were arrested for prostitution and related offenses following a cooperative undercover investigation that was conducted on May 23.
Police said they arrested Christina Marie Colina, 23, for prostitution and related offenses, including promoting prostitution of a minor, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor and criminal conspiracy; and Kimberly Jones, 24, and Thomas Simpkins, 19, both for prostitution and related offenses.
All three are from Nemacolin.
Additionally, police said a juvenile petition will be filed with the Greene County Juvenile Probation Office for prostitution and related offenses against a 16-year-old juvenile.
State police and the Cumberland Township Police Department conducted the investigation after receiving information from a confidential informant that indicated that several women from Nemacolin were engaging in prostitution-related activities.
Members of Troop B Vice/Narcotics furthered the investigation.
According to state police, an undercover trooper was contacted by Colina via text messaging on May 23. Police said she offered to provide sex to the trooper in exchange for money. She also offered to provide two additional prostitutes, also in exchange for money, and she also provided photographs of herself, Jones and a juvenile, and said that she would be able to provide these girls to meet him for sex, police said.
During the text conversation, Colina told the trooper that the cost for the service would be “$200 per girl,” and that if the trooper had any friends who were interested in meeting for sex the price would be “$250 per girl,” police said.
Police alleged Colina arranged to meet with the undercover trooper at a Franklin Township hotel that evening. The trooper worked with other police officers to engage in surveillance and arrest of the suspects.
Police said Colina arrived at the hotel with Jones and the 16-year-old juvenile and told the undercover trooper that she would need an additional $10 for gasoline for her ride to the hotel.
The trooper gave the $10 for gas to the juvenile, who left the room to pay the driver; the driver was later identified as Simpkins, police said.
Colina told the undercover trooper that he could pay her the rest of the money when they were finished engaging in sexual intercourse, police said.
The arrest team then entered the room and Colina and Jones were taken into custody without incident, police said. The juvenile was also taken into custody.
State police also arrested Simpkins, who later provided a written statement indicating that he was aware of the women’s intent to engage in prostitution and that he was charging them $10 in exchange for providing a ride.
The suspects were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Glenn Bates. Colina was placed in Greene County Jail in lieu of $20,000 straight bail, Jones was committed to Greene County Jail in lieu of $5,000 straight bail, and Simpkins was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Preliminary hearings for Colina and Jones have been scheduled to be held before Bates on June 6. Simpkins’ hearing has been continued.
State police said the investigation continues, and additional arrests are anticipated.