An official with the Wichita Police Department says 19 suspects have been arrested in two prostitution-related stings along the Broadway corridor.

Capt. Doug Nolte said the most recent "John sting" was conducted Thursday afternoon and evening. Nine people were arrested.

"We put a female out there...and they try to see if anyone is interested in propositioning the person," Capt. Nolte said. 

During another sting on August 24, nine women and one man were arrested, Nolte said. 

"That's a lot," he said, "which shows us that there is a demand for that kind of illegal activity."

The Wichita Police Department launched the four-year "Broadway Corridor Project" last month. It consists of a team of six officers led by Sgt. Bob Gulliver who will be on bike and foot patrol along the Broadway corridor, which stretches from Pawnee to 21st Street North and from Water to St. Francis.

"One of the things that we are attempting to do with our Broadway corridor patrol is to lessen that impact on those neighborhoods. We'll be out there."

Names of suspects arrested on August 31:

  • Gregorio Barrera-Abarca, 38
  • Jordan Ciccone, 31
  • Melvin Godoy-Jacinto, 44
  • Aron Gomez
  • Martin Moody, 60
  • Julio Rodela-Lopez, 56
  • Arthur Wayne Smith, 67
  • Rafael Trejo, 25
  • William Wiley, 68

An arrest report shows another man, 52-year-old Anthony Twitty, was arrested for promoting prostitution near Broadway and Douglas.

Names of suspects arrested on August 24:

  • Naussicaa Fitzsimmons, 50
  • Amy Hetzer, 41
  • Theresa Lehman, 51
  • Jessica Olivas, 31
  • Kyle Miller, 31
  • Michelle Mizell, 47
  • Cheryl Thompson, 34
  • Antwonette Williams-Winbush, 25
  • Natasha Yarbrough, 28
  • 9th woman's name not released