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Updated 09/10/2012 06:10 PM

Three arrested for prostitution in Horseheads

By: Bill Mich

For the second time this year, a police sting has lead to the arrest of three women for prostitution in the village of Horseheads. Our Bill Mich spoke with police who say they are doing everything they can to combat this problem in the area.

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HORSEHEADS, N.Y. -- Sunday, police arrested three Rochester women. Asia Johnson, 18, Akilla Johnson, 27, and Roxsand Ippolito, 19, are now in Chemung County Jail.

"We were able to set up a couple different rendezvous with some of the arrested parties and confirmed exactly what our information was and they agreed to perform certain sexual acts for money," said Horseheads Police Chief Michael Barton.

The women were arrested at the Landmark Inn on Westinghouse Road in Horseheads. Police say the arrests were a part of their continuing effort to combat prostitution in the village.

This is just the most recent type incident this year, with police arresting three women back in February at the Red Roof Inn and Motel 6 in Horseheads. Police say, so far, the women they have arrested in this prostitution ring have been from outside of this area.

"They were able to charge a little bit more for their services around here because there isn't the supply as there are in say Rochester or in other more heavily populated areas. So I guess there is less competition for the services," said Barton.

The chief says while it is hard to pin point just how big the prostitution problem is, it is prevalent in the village and the surrounding area and he wants to make it known that it is certainly not acceptable behavior in Horseheads.

"Maybe a crime that people don't think is happening in Horseheads, however, I think it's probably happening in more communities than we all know right now. We're going to take our stance on this type of crime as well as others to help provide the best quality of life we can for our citizens," Barton said.

Police plan to continue to develop new leads and gather information that will hopefully help to quell this ongoing problem.