Five Arrested in Undercover 'John' Sting

Photos Courtesy Tewksbury Police Department

Five people were arrested Wednesday in a sting by Tewksbury Police Wednesday, after an ad was placed on the website Backpage.com. 

On Dec. 23, the Tewksbury Police Department conducted an undercover operation at the Holiday Inn, which resulted in five arrests. Tewksbury detectives, along with detectives from Methuen and Andover Police, posted an ad in an attempt to locate individuals seeking sexual conduct for a fee.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee:

1. Valdecy Dias, 51, of 93 Chapel Street, Apt. 3, Lowell.
2. James Crosby, 28, of 80 Rogers Street, Apt. 102, Townsend.
3. Robert Maria, 76, of 26 Montview Ave., Lowell.
4. Marc Alper, 58, of 26 10th Ave., Haverhill.
5. 17 year old, juvenile, Tewksbury.

Each of these individuals responded to an ad posted on backpage.com in the escorts section. They met with an undercover police officer at the Holiday Inn, where they agreed to a sexual act for a fee.

The Holiday Inn management worked in cooperation with the Tewksbury Police in an effort to deter this activity in the future.

All were due to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Dec. 24.