LYNN — Lynn Police made 10 arrests in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit relating to paying for sexual conduct.
The agencies carried out the one-day operation in an attempt to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation in the area of Union Street and combat quality-of-life issues, Lynn Police Lt. Ashley Affonco wrote in a statement.
The statement read that the area around Union Street is “notorious for solicitation for sex acts.”
Police officials said an undercover decoy was used in areas surrounding Union Street. The decoy would wait to be approached by individuals offering cash in exchange for sexual acts. Several officers were involved in the operation.
The operation was not an investigation into a criminal organization. Police have received several complaints about the offense-related activity in the area, Affonco’s statement read.
Each of the 10 arrests was made on charges of paying for sexual conduct, violating Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272, which outlines crimes against chastity, morality, decency, and good order.
Among those arrested were Marquis Rios of Swampscott, Edgar Morratalla Marroquin of Chelsea, Mohammed Amin Zadah of Lynn, Jack Pacheco Mota of Hyde Park, Johnathan Villa Garcia of Salem, Juan Beleno Alvarez of Lynn, Christopher Aduvagah of Lynn, and Rashawn Sams of Peabody, who were all arrested on charges of paying for sexual conduct.
Gerson Pimentel of Lynn was arrested on charges of paying for sexual conduct and possession of drugs, and Rafael Mendoza Castillo of Lynn was arrested on charges of paying for sexual conduct and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.




