FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS
Shara Dee, Communications Officer, sdee@southportland.org, (207) 347-4143
Todd Bernard, Lieutenant, South Portland Police Department Office of Professional Standards, toddbe@southportland.org, (207) 799-5511 Ext. 7241
PRESS RELEASE
Prostitution Detail
Incident Synopsis: On Thursday, March 16, 2023, a prostitution detail was conducted at a local hotel. As a result of this effort, fourteen people were charged. This was a multi-jurisdictional investigation involving South Portland Police Community Response Unit, our local and federal partners, the Cumberland County Human Trafficking Task Force, and the assistance of the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.
The issue of human trafficking has no jurisdiction and has been recognized as a state and national epidemic. The Internet Reversal is designed to target the demand side of prostitution and human trafficking. The meaning of “demand” in reference to this operation is the “John” or patron/client in the sex-for-money scheme. It is widely recognized that Johns are the driving force in Human Trafficking by supplying the money that fuels this illegal industry. This operation also targeted human traffickers. Human traffickers are known to be involved in a wide variety of exploits, mainly sex trafficking and drug trafficking. They often use violence and coercion to exploit women. There were 178 people who attempted to solicit, but due to time and resources, only 14 people were charged.
The following people were charged:
1) Clifton Parke (21 yoa), South Portland, ME, case #23-006002
a. Engaging a prostitute
b. Immigration violation
2) Jerome Brown (22 yoa), South Portland, ME, case # 23-006002
a. Immigration violation
3) Thomas Jones (56 yoa), Windham, ME, case # 23-006009
a. Engaging a prostitute
4) Benjamin Semel (26 yoa), Portland, ME, case # 23-006016 (No Photo Available)
a. Engaging a prostitute
5) Jason Perry (49 yoa), Livermore Falls, ME, case # 23-006017
a. Engaging a prostitute
b. Violation of conditions of release
6) James Keddy (43 yoa), Biddeford, ME, case # 23-006034 (No Photo Available)
a. Engaging a prostitute
7) Michael Vermette (58 yoa), East Waterboro, ME, case # 23-006047
a. Engaging a prostitute
8) Ernest Avanzato (41 yoa), Porter, ME, case # 23-006051
a. Engaging a prostitute
9) Raymond Keith (61 yoa), Portland, ME, case # 23-006052
a. Engaging a prostitute
10) Garrett Blaine (29 yoa), Arundel, ME, case # 23-006056
a. Engaging a prostitute
11) Channing Perry (39 yoa), Brunswick, ME, case # 23-006058
a. Engaging a prostitute
b. Unlawful possession of schedule X drug
12) Jeffrey Fairbanks (53 yoa), Old Orchard Beech, ME, 23-006062
a. Engaging a prostitute
13) Gregory Dubois (21 yoa), Portland, ME, case # 23-006065
a. Engaging a prostitute
14) Carlton Huntsberger (33 yoa), New Castle, ME, case # 23-006066
a. Engaging a prostitute
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