TRENTON — Eleven men and women were jailed last week after a three-day anti-prostitution sting — code-named “Operation Room Service” — was performed in Pollocksville and Maysville.
The operation — which ran Wednesday through Friday last week — was initiated by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments from Maysville, Pollocksville and Jacksonville. A press release from the JCSO stated that male and female undercover officers posed as prostitutes and prospective clients in the Trent Motel in Pollocksville and at an undisclosed residential location in Maysville. The locations were provided by citizens in support of the operation.
The JCSO press release stated the sting targeted prostitutes and their clientele to “send a clear cut message that illegal prostitution will not be tolerated in Jones County.”
“Operation Room Service” was a huge success and would not have been possible without the full cooperation of the citizenry and all of the agencies involved,” the JCSO press release stated.
The 11 people arrested were:
Deanna Reese Covington, 47 of 105 Mill Pond Rd., Jacksonville, charged with solicit for prostitution and attempted crime against nature. She was given a $500 secured bond and a $500 unsecured bond.
Daniel Duncan, 30 of 401 Ridgeway Lane, Holly Ridge, charged with solicit for prostitution. He was given a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Michael Hubert Harris, 51 of 20A Merry Lane, Greenville, charged with two counts of solicit for prostitution and two counts of solicit crime against nature. He was given a $2,000 secured bond.
Dylan Axle Holton, 21 of 403 Clyde Drive, Jacksonville, charged with solicit for prostitution and solicit crime against nature. He was given a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Carolyn Faye Kern, 53 of 1100A Edgewater Place, Morehead City, charged with aid and abet prostitution. She was given a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Maurice Edwin Kern, 62 of 1100A Edgewater Place, Morehead City, charged with two counts of felony probation violation, and aid and abet prostitution. He was given a $15,000 secured bond. (Note: Kern is also a registered sex offender)
Valerie Amanda Murray AKA Dreamer Laletha Murrell, 27 of 501A Bridges Street, Morehead City, charged with solicit for prostitution. She was given a $3,000 unsecured bond. (Note: additional charges pending)
Jennifer Jo Neiger, 47 of 117A Zack Circle, Jacksonville, charged with solicit for prostitution. She was given a $2,000 secured bond.
Venita Jean Parker, 53 of 884 Roberts Rd., Lot 36, Newport, charged with solicit for prostitution. She was given a $3,000 unsecured bond.
Ashley Deanna Velez, 22 of 8293 Hwy 55 New Bern, charged with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, possession of schedule VI controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance and solicit for prostitution. She was given a $5,000 secured bond.
James Walton Williams, 30 of 8293 Hwy 55 New Bern, charged with aid and abet prostitution, no operator’s license and unsealed wine/liquor in passenger area. He was given a $3,000 secured bond.