21 Women, 31 Men Arrested In Paterson Prostitution Sweep

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Dozens of people, prostitutes and their customers, were arrested during a massive prostitution sweep in Paterson Thursday after people complained, police announced.

Authorities received complaints throughout April that women would "openly solicit" people for sexual acts near Van Housten and East 18th streets and Market and East 26th streets "at all times of the day and night," said Police Director Jerry Speziale.

The sweep consisted of two parts: Undercover detectives acted as "Johns" and were solicited for sexual acts. Undercover officers acted as prostitutes and were solicited by people for sexual acts in exchange for money, Speziale said.

Police filed 73 charges and seized six vials of crack cocaine, 15 Percocet pills, 146 glassine bags of heroin, and $398 in suspected drug proceeds, Speziale said.

The following women were charged with prostitution:

• Michelle Salgado, 37, of Toms River
• Elise Gutleber, 42, of Clifton
• Charlotte Best, 38, Mount Arlington
• Laura Burkhead, 27, of Westville
• Amiee Seniakevgch, 35, of Hackensack
• Rebecca Harding, 30, of Prospect Park
• Brenna Hallinan, 29, of Middletown, New York
• Rhiannon Barnett, 25, of Seymour, Missouri
• Nadia Yuryev, 27, of Dumont

The other women arrested are all of Paterson: Jacquelyne Diaz, Jody Devita, Amiee Seniakevgch, Leslie Wilson, Eri Micco, Kimberly Scully, Amber Badia, Jamie Juliano, Kelly Gibband, Rhonda Mayes, Pamela Black, Tatiana McCrae, Nadia Yuryev, and Johnny Chisholm.

"Prostitution will not be tolerated in Paterson," said Mayor Andre Sayegh, "that's why we are stepping up our efforts to rid our city of this scourge."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com