Police in Massachusetts, Homeland Security arrest 7 in reverse prostitution sting

Chief Thomas P. Browne reports that in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations, his department conducted a reverse sting operation at a local hotel to target prostitution customers and made seven arrests as a result.

40-year-old Narciso Melo of Bradford was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

50-year-old Pedram Riahi of Burlington was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

26-year-old Matthew Young-Thomas of Medford was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

64-year-old Kevin Duffy of Winchester was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

54-year-old Lawrence Liu of Medford was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

32-year-old Chervens Saint Louis of Lowell was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

25-year-old Mayurkumar Patel of Boston was arrested and charged with Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

On Wednesday, April 12, a female officer posted ads on websites that are known for being a haven for advertisements offering sex for a fee.

Individuals who responded to the ads and appeared in person at the hotel were arrested. One of the individuals was arraigned in Woburn District Court on Wednesday. The remaining six defendants will be arraigned on Friday.

The Burlington Police Department has conducted similar operations in the past, with a goal of stopping and preventing human trafficking and sex crimes in the Town of Burlington.

“I would like to thank Homeland Security Investigations for their support with this investigation. HSI has experts in human trafficking that help inform and support our investigations as we work to stop and prevent human trafficking and sex crimes in town,” said Chief Browne. “I congratulate the officers involved in this investigation on a job well done.”