Valentine's prostitution sting leads to 5 arrests

OTHELLO — Local police say they arrested five men in a Valentine’s Day prostitution sting on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

According to a police report, the street crimes unity conducted the sting targeting men attempting to hire a prostitute in the city.

Police identified those arrested during the sting as:

Alex Jeronimo-Vasquez, 37, of Marlin

Ismael Pineda-Pineda, 27, of Othello

Ricardo A. Preciado, 51, of Othello

Eustorgio Valentine-Roa, 37, of Othello

Luis F. Perez-Jimenez, 27, of Ephrata

“All of the sex buyers were issued a criminal citiation, fingerprinted and photographed,” police said.

According to police, prostitution stings are a “crucial” tool in combating sex trafficking.

“If there were no buyers, there would be no business,” police said on social media.

Anyone with information about sex trafficking is asked to call 509-488-3314.