Fayette prostitution sting results in arrest of 8 men
An online escort sting conducted by the Fayette County Drug Task Force netted eight men from five counties on prostitution charges.
The men, charged with one count each of patronizing prostitutes, allegedly answered an online ad offering escort services, negotiated a price of up to $300, and showed up for an appointment at a hotel near Uniontown.
Mark Brooks, assistant district attorney, said the task force conducted the operation over the summer because drug activity often is associated with prostitution.
"It was an operation conducted by the Fayette County Drug Task Force investigating those who are willing to utilize the services of prostitutes," Brooks said. "These investigations are necessary because most people engaged in prostitution do so because of drug usage."
Brooks declined to describe the method police used to conduct the sting, but criminal complaints filed with the charges indicate the task force placed an online ad offering the services of an escort. Men who answered the ad spoke with one of the task force's officers, Christopher Kozlowski, and were directed to the Hampton Inn at 698 W. Main St. in North Union.
The men told Kozlowski they wanted to hire an escort for sex, according to the complaints. They offered to pay in amounts ranging from $100 for a sex act to $300 for the services of two female escorts.
"Kubitza called and stated that he wanted to (expletive) ... and offered $200 to have sex with a female escort," Kozlowski wrote in one of the complaints. "When he entered the room, he placed $200 on the dresser and also showed the escort that he had condoms."
Each of the men was taken into custody after arriving at a room at the hotel, according to the complaints. All but Kubitza acknowledged he had answered the online ad with the expectation of paying for sex, officers said.
Charges were filed on Tuesday and Wednesday with North Union District Judge Wendy Dennis. The defendants will be notified via mail of the misdemeanor charges before hearings are scheduled.
Additional Information:
The accused
Eight men are charged with one count each of patronizing prostitutes:
Allegheny County: John Clifton Cooper, 37, of 209 Holiday Park Drive, Plum.
Butler County: Eric Whitney Proger, 48, of 377 Klein Road, Zelienople.
Fayette County: Brian Steven Kubitza, 44, of 116 Regency Drive, South Union.
Greene County: Bradley Scott Neal, 36, of 23 Locust St., Clarksville.
Washington County: Brett Reid Gostic, 41, of 240 Smithfield St., Canonsburg; and Lawrence William Douglas Jr., 34, of 13 Marie Drive, Fallowfield.
Westmoreland County: Rocky Allen Nicholson, 49, of 600 Route 31, South Huntingdon; and James Bertola, 47, of 79 Scenery Blvd., Monessen.
