It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY • ROCKLAND COUNTY Thomas P. Zugibe, District Attorney

www.RocklandCountyDA.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2015 Xiomara Lopez (845) 638-5013

DISTRICT ATTORNEY ZUGIBE AND CLARKSTOWN POLICE CHIEF SULLIVAN

ANNOUNCE “JOHN” ARRESTS IN COORDINATED PROSTITUTION SWEEP Sting Operation Aimed At Combating Supply And Demand Of Human Trafficking

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced the arrests of five would-be sex buyers (or “johns”) in an ongoing effort to combat the growing problem of sex trafficking. The sweep brought together the District Attorney’s Office with the Town of Clarkstown Police in an aggressive crackdown on the demand for purchased sex. The joint operation also targeted pimps and traffickers who force victims into lives of prostitution. Five men were taken into custody on various charges, including Patronizing a Prostitute in the Third Degree, a class "A" Misdemeanor. “Sex trafficking continues to destroy countless lives,” said District Attorney Zugibe. “This undercover sting should send a strong message to prospective johns that their hobby is not a victimless crime, but rather a terrifying and despicable offense against some of our most vulnerable populations.” With the assistance of female police officers who posed as escorts, detectives placed ads for ‘in calls’ and ‘out calls’ on the popular Internet sites. The ads focused on predatory suspects seeking to purchase sexual services from women. Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan said yesterday's sting focused on local hotels and motels where the department has seen an increase in organized and independent prostitution activities. The Clarkstown Police Department intends to continue this and other targeted approaches aimed at addressing this issue and to make it clear that such activities will be vigorously pursued. “Prostitution may seem to be a victimless crime, but that is far from the truth,” said Chief Sullivan. “The presence of this practice in our neighborhoods brings an undesirable element with it and negatively impacts the quality of life in our community. In addition, many of the people engaged in prostitution are coerced into this very dangerous way of life with no hope of escape. Today’s operation was directed at those who would exploit these victims in order to satisfy their own needs.

The Clarkstown Police Department will continue to work with our District Attorney and other law enforcement partners to attack this serious problem by focusing on the demand for these services here in Clarkstown and Rockland County.” One of the defendants, Anthony Tozzi (DOB 09/30/59) of 32 Bellgrove Drive, Mahwah, New Jersey, faces charged of Patronizing a Prostitute in the Third Degree, in addition to several drug-related felonies. Tozzi is accused of agreeing to exchange drugs as payment for sex. (See addendum for details on defendants) “Said District Attorney Zugibe, “Sex trafficking is a business that relies upon supply and demand. By arresting the alleged johns, we cut off the supply. By charging 5 individuals with patronizing prostituted women, we continue to dismantle local human trafficking operations. If there’s no one to pay for the women's sexual services, the women would likely not have been forced into a life of physical and psychological abuse.” District Attorney Zugibe’s coordinated efforts to battle sex trafficking was originally launched in 2013, in the months leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII, which was held on February 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In anticipation of the Big Game, the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit took part in several planning committees led by the New Jersey State Police aimed at preventing, detecting and preventing human trafficking. The RCDAO received specialized training from the Texas Rangers, widely known as investigative experts in sex trade industry. On a local level, the District Attorney's Special Victims Unit organized a joint task force with the Center of Safety and Change to raise awareness of human sex trafficking in the weeks before the Super Bowl. Training sessions were held to give hotel, hospitality and transportation workers in the Tri-State Area tools for spotting and identifying potential trafficking victims and other illicit operations. The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and the Town of Clarkstown Police Department. Supervising Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Parietti is prosecuting the cases.

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Note to Editors: Press release e-version posted on RocklandCountyDA.com

DEFENDANTS August 7, 2015  

“John” Sweep – Clarkstown   

  Michael A. Greenberg (DOB 05/05/79)  Nanuet, NY 1 count of Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree 1 count of unlawful possession of marihuana     Anthony Tozzi (DOB 09/30/59)  Mahwah, NJ 1 count of CPCS 3rd / intent 1 count of CSCS 3rd / narcotic drug 1 count of Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree   

 Segundo G. Lopez (DOB 07/14/81) Suffern, NY 1 count of Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree       

 

     

Zalmen Pollak (DOB 03/16/56)Monsey, NY 1 count of Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree

   Evens J. Francois (DOB 03/19/78) Chestnut Ridge, NY 1 count of Patronizing a prostitute in the third degree