Bergen Residents Arrested In Paterson Prostitution Sweep

Several Bergen County residents were arrested in a Paterson prostitution sweep Tuesday.

Fifty people were arrested as a result of the sweep: 14 prostitutes, 27 "Johns," and eight other people who were charged with obstruction-related charges.

Kristy Degroate, 40, of Mahwah was charged with prostitution. Veronica Buitrago, 29, of Hackensack was charged with obstruction, said Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale. They were arrested during the first phase of the operation, which involved women soliciting undercover detectives posing as "Johns."

Allan Simpson, 37, of Hackensack and Walter Smith, 52, Phillip Cowart, 39, were charged with prostitution, Speziale said.

Sybill Ford, 43, of Edgewater was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest. Oscar Sanders, 67, of Englewood was charged with obstruction, Speziale said.

Police conducted the sweep near Van Houten and East 18th streets after getting complaints from residents about prostitution happening the area, Speziale said. The complaints said women were loitering and openly soliciting men walking and driving by for sexual acts during the day and at night.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com