Nine local men are facing prostitution charges after police say they solicited undercover officers to engage in sexual acts for money.
The Philadelphia Police Department's Citywide Vice Unit conducted the sting on Thursday across the department's 16th District, officials said. That covers parts of Mantua and West Philadelphia.
The following suspects were taken into custody:
Steven Reed, 52, of the 4200 block of Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia
Pedro Louis Sorita Para, 27, of the 600 block of North 42nd Street, Philadelphia
Erick Riddick, 26, of the Unit block of North Yewdall Street, Philadelphia
Joseph Johnson, 46, of 100 block of North 55th Street, Philadelphia
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Andrew Blakey, 25, of Revere Road, Drexel Hill, Delaware County
Roger Dozier, 50, of the 1900 block of South 57th Street, Philadelphia
Preston Catchings, 56, of the 500 block of Gross Street, Philadelphia
Tiras Porteous, 33, of the 500 block of Allengrove Street, Philadelphia
Thomas Brown, 49, of the 5400 block of Westminister Avenue, Philadelphia
All have been charged with one count each of Patronizing Prostitution and Solicitation. Officers also confiscated $2,969 in cash, six cars and SUVs and one loaded handgun.
