Document text
--> --> Ashland woman charged with prostitution in sting operation By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings An Ashland woman charged with prostitution Wednesday was arraigned in April on the same charge, according to Jackson County Deputy District Attorney Rachael Bridges. Patricia Anne Lafranchi, 21, was arrested the same day as six other people from Medford, Grants Pass and White City during a Medford Police Department sting operation. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The trial for Lafranchi's earlier charge is set for Nov. 7. Since both charges are the same type, the D.A.'s office could consider joining them, but Bridges would not comment on whether she was considering that. Medford Police Wednesday conducted a sting operation targeting businesses advertising themselves as adult entertainment or escort services in Southern Oregon. Police had received a number of reports that escorts were engaging in prostitution and that some had committed thefts from their customers, according to Medford police officials. Police contacted escorts from six ads placed in the classified advertisement section of a local newspaper. When escorts responded to a local motel where the sting operation was being conducted, the escorts committed the act of prostitution by engaging in, or offering or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct or sexual contact in return for money, according to Medford police officials Lafranchi had operated out of Ashland as Paradise Escorts. Other businesses with employees or owners arrested include Moonlighting Escorts, Christine's, and Fantasy Escorts of Medford, Scarlett's of Grants Pass and Five Star Escorts of White City. The owner of Five Star Escorts, Troy Alan Worsham of White City, was arrested for promoting prostitution, a felony. Worsham had been waiting outside the hotel during the sting while his girlfriend was inside being arrested. He was in possession of an infant, who was placed in foster care. The others were all charged with the lesser prostitution charge - a misdemeanor. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing