Oakland Man Charged in Paterson Prostitution Sting

An Oakland resident was among eight Bergen and Passaic County men arrested Thursday in a Paterson prostitution sting, according to the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.

William Vasquez, 53, allegedly solicited an undercover female officer posing as a prostitute on Market Street. Two Fair Lawn men, a Clifton resident, and four from Paterson were also picked up in the sting, authorities said.

Two undercover officers were placed on the street Thursday, following multiple complaints from nearby residents of passing cars picking up prostitutes in the area, the department said.

Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik said the sting was part of a “Quality of Life Initiative” aimed at stemming other crime issues.

“Prostitution is the first crime in the cycle that ends with narcotics trafficking and gun violence,” he said in a release.

All eight men were released on their own recognizance pending an appearance in Paterson Municipal Court.